Maintenance Airmen provide ground work

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Collin Terry, 494th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, salutes an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot on the flightline at Bodø Main Air Station, Norway, May 8, 2014. The U.S. Air Force worked side-by-side with European allies at the recent Nordic Defense Cooperation exercise to train and build relationships with other nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

Forward, Ready, Now: US Airmen train with Nordic nations

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Collin Terry (left), 494th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, talks with a Norwegian air force maintainer under an F-15E Strike Eagle at Bodø Main Air Station, Norway, May 7, 2014. The maintenance teams explained how each nation maintains their aircraft at the recent Nordic Defense Cooperation exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

Forward, Ready, Now: US Airmen train with Nordic nations

United States and Norwegian air force maintenance personnel pose for a photo in front of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle at Bodø Main Air Station, Norway, May 7, 2014. The U.S. Air Force worked side-by-side with European allies and partners at the recent Nordic Defense Cooperation exercise to build relationships with other nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

Maintenance Airmen provide ground work

Published May 20, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter WIng Public Affairs

BODØ MAIN AIR STATION, Norway -- Maintenance Airmen assigned to the 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron answered their nation's call at a moment's notice, engaging in Nordic Defense Cooperation training exercises out of Bodø Main Air Station, Norway, May 6-8.

Although the main focus of the NORDEFCO training exercises was to improve air capabilities, the maintenance Airmen provided the necessary ground work needed for mission success.

After the initial recall, the maintenance team met the task of reporting for duty, outprocessing and loading aircraft to fly to Norway so they could regenerate the aircraft to fly again immediately upon arrival.

"I was tired," said Airman 1st Class Collin Terry, 494th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dedicated crew chief. "But keeping up-to-date on all my training criteria prepared me for moments like this."

Master Sgt. Martin Hardin, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, explained home station training, which includes practicing different situations on a daily basis, was key to mission success.

"The team had to overcome limited capabilities, parts and manning," Hardin said. "They operated professionally, and I have nothing but the utmost confidence that we can do this any time anyone calls upon us."

While in Norway, the maintenance Airmen had the opportunity to interact with Norwegian air force maintainers.

"We were able to learn how they maintain their aircraft as well as teach them how we maintain ours. We shared many crew chief stories and had a great bonding experience. It really gave us a perspective of the big picture of what we really do." Terry concluded.