Part of the mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
A necessary component of the B-2 stealth bomber isn't working. The missing piece to this puzzle is among thousands of parts in a warehouse that has no shelves, containers, or systems that organize the items. Instead, there is a massive pile of hundreds of thousands of parts.

To prevent chaos like this, Airman from the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Aircraft Parts Store, use a simple and convenient system to order and receive parts.

"We're the behind the scene guys." said Tech. Sgt. Ted Pyle, 509th LRS assistance NCO in charge of the APS. "Our mission here is to support the B-2, A-10 and T-38 by ensuring parts are on-hand, and available when our maintainers need them."

On a day-to-day basis, the store receives anywhere from 20-60 orders from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 509th Maintenance Squadron. The orders are requests for parts needed to maintain mission-ready aircraft.

"We review items needed to be pulled for an order, assemble the order, notify the customer that the package is complete, file the paper work and deliver the package," said Sergeant Pyle. "The warehouse then has to be restocked by ordering parts from suppliers."

The store maintains an inventory of more than 210,000 parts and kits, worth more than $200 million.

"We ensure all parts are checked and functioning properly before we accept it into the warehouse," he said. "Time could be wasted or lives could be put at risk if a part is installed on an aircraft and doesn't work."

Additional to ensuring the initial check, the APS crew must perform monthly checks of the inventory's shelf-life, remove anything considered unserviceable and maintain annual validation on stock items.

"The items are split into sections, so we check an area of the warehouse one week, a different area the next week, and so on," Sergeant Pyle said.

Along with organization and quality checks, the parts store helps with delivery in a timely matter. The APS isn't the only part-storage facility on base, but its location on the flight line prevents delays in maintainers receiving orders.

"We save maintainers 10-15 minutes in their process because we're already on the flight line." Airman 1st Class Ben Smyser, 509th LRS Aircraft Parts Store technician said. "Being so close to the hangers makes our resources easy to access. That small amount of time could make a huge difference during a time constrained mission."

The amount of parts the store provides, and the speed in which it is done, is convenient for aircraft crews and assists in maintaining a quick and effective mission. Sergeant Pyle said his team stays busy with the amount of orders and checks they perform, but it's rewarding.

"I love the energy and timeliness of the shop," Sergeant Pyle said, "It's a good feeling to physically see how your work affects the aircraft and the [Whiteman] mission."

"Without us, the aircraft couldn't fly, and when I look at it in that perspective, I realize just how important my job is," said Airman Smyser.