Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight -air power supported by ground power

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  When you walk into Building 7, the various work areas are a conglomeration of activities in connection with the 509th Maintenance Squadron's Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight, commonly referred to as AGE. 

In the large open bays, Airmen of AGE Team 1 & 2 are repairing equipment. In the office areas you can find the Airmen of Production Support maintaining the library of technical references used to maintain and repair the equipment. In the Programs section office you are greeted by Tech. Sgt. William Duke or Staff Sgt. Christa Bowen, experienced AGE technicians who maintain the endless tasks of administration duties that are required within any large operations. 

The AGE Flight is dedicated to the mission of operating, maintaining and sustaining the various items of ground equipment used to ensure the optimal performance of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, the T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer and various transient Air Force weapons systems visiting Whiteman AFB. 

Members of the 131st Bomb Wing are integrated with AGE Flight in support of the B-2 mission. 

The sections within the AGE flight are Munitions AGE (equipment relating to munitions loading); SPUDS (Service Pickup and Delivery); AGE Team 1 and 2 (responsible for maintenance and inspections); Production Support (responsible for tools and reference documentation); and the Programs Section (responsible for equipment inventory, deployment of Airmen and equipment and general administration). 

"All aircraft require ground support equipment (generator equipment that provides power or lights or air conditioning to name a few applications) in order for maintenance and support of the aircraft to take place," said Master Sgt. Curtis Bailey, AGE superintendent. "We have more than 800 items of equipment to ensure our aircraft maintenance teams and maintenance operations teams can get their jobs done." 

AGE technicians--are they unsung heroes of the maintenance world or just guys with an aptitude and talent for fixing things? 

Let's see. Their training is approximately six months at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas. AGE apprentices are taught principles of electronics, refrigeration, hydraulics, power generation, inspecting and preventive maintenance to name a few of the many concentrations AGE technicians must learn to become proficient in their job. 

After initial training an AGE technician reports to his new duty assignment where he or she gains experience performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance; diagnosing mechanical and electronic circuitry malfunctions; inspecting and approving completed maintenance actions; and solving repair problems by studying drawings, wiring diagrams and schematics and technical publications--to name a few of the various job duties of the AGE professional. 

Whiteman AFB AGE technicians are required to become proficient on 78 different items of equipment. 

"Much of the training in our jobs can be applied to civilian job specialties," said Senior Airman Richard Temple, AGE journeyman. "Some of the equipment we maintain relates to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC); diesel mechanic and hydraulics job specialties to name a few." 

"Because we deal with so many different sub-systems, an AGE troop can work virtually anywhere--from airports to hospitals," said Tech. Sgt. John Meyer, AGE Team 1 floor chief. 

"Every aircraft has its own special equipment," said Staff Sgt. Adam Tate, AGE craftsman and AGE Team 1 maintenance supervisor. "For example, the B-2 has its own hydraulic test stand and certain compressors." 

The job-duty likes and dislikes regarding equipment within the 509th MXS AGE Flight are as varied as the more than 80 Airmen who work in the section. Tech. Sgt. Mathew Law's, AGE Team 2 floor leader, favorite item of equipment is the -60 gas turbine compressor. Sergeant Meyer enjoys the MHU-204/m Munitions Handling Trailer, while Senior Airman Calvin Grosz's, AGE journeyman, favorite equipment item is the -95 bleed air unit. 

The number of equipment items an AGE technician has to learn varies from base to base, said Sergeant Meyer. "Each weapons system requires specific support equipment." 

Members of the AGE team have been recipients of awards within the 509th Maintenance Group for 2006 and 2007. Staff Sgt. Tommy Colvin,  is the 2007 NCO of the Year for the 509th MXS AGE Flight. Tech. Sgt. John Meyer is the 2006 NCO of the Year for the 509th Maintenance Group.