Quiet professionals ensure wing's A-10s improve with A.G.E.

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tom Talbert
  • 442nd Fighter Wing public affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  If you thought age on an airplane was bad, think again.

In the 442nd Maintenance Group, the AGE refers to Aerospace Ground Equipment and it's almost as vital as the aircraft in the completion of the Air Force mission.

Anything from generators to gas-driven compressors to hydraulic test stands to heaters to maintenance stands used to get the maintainers closer to the aircraft, AGE is part of the equation.

"The saying goes, no air power without ground power," said Master Sgt. Patrick Rogers, AGE section supervisor. "We are the ground power. We work on the powered and non-powered support equipment that's used to support aircraft operations. We also provide dispatch to the flight line with the support equipment."

Entering the 442nd Maintenance Squadron's AGE shop, you can't help but notice something is absent. Those who are used to the organized chaos of military industrial settings might be stunned by the calm and quiet.

Airmen go about in pursuit of their maintenance duties with a devout sense of being diligent, almost like they operate on automatic pilot. The need for barking out orders, issuing commands and "mustering the troops" is noticeably absent in this shop, and Tech. Sgt.

Leroy Sharbono, a master electrician as a civilian, is happy to say why.

"We are surrounded by professionals," Sergeant Sharbono, said. "Active-duty personnel are only together for maybe three years; tops. We work with our associates, many for our entire military careers."

It's a sentiment that co-worker Tech. Sgt. Richard "Buck" Roberts agrees with.

"I've been with the 442nd 20 years this month and a technician since 1989," Sergeant Roberts said as he worked with one arm up to his elbow in a fuel tank. "The AGE shop is full of great guys who do their jobs with little direction required."

As far as what drew many of these technicians to what appears a satisfying career field, Sergeant Roberts said it best. "These are transferable skills," he said. "I don't fly airplanes at home, but I do have a car and it breaks down. We don't know everything about anything, but we do know a little about most everything."

Mammoth, box-shaped, motor-driven devices are spread throughout the facility and the workers labor over the green machines.

In some ways it's reminiscent of the way one might recall a garage from a generation ago. As you look about the room, smiles are seen, laughter and occasional quiet conversations are heard, but a general feeling of contentment surrounds these 15 ambitious pros.

One thing missing from that distant memory to this one is the absence of oily shop rags scattered about, grease-grooved wrenches and supply company wall calendars that typically fit that old stereotype.

No, this shop is uncluttered and well ordered; looking more like television cooking-show queen Rachel Ray's kitchen than a nerve center for repair of all things unattached to an airplane.

It's a point of pride for Sergeant Rogers and so are his troops. He's quick to point that out.

"These guys are the unsung heroes of the flight-line," he said. "We have not only supported our planes in the 442nd, we've supported air shows, Air Force One and other dignitaries. I mean we can support any aircraft, so you see our versatility."