BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California –
Two squadrons from opposite coasts who support KC-135 Stratotanker missions teamed up in March at Beale Air Force Base, California.
The 927th Air Refueling Wing reservists of MacDill AFB, Florida collaborated with 940th Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members to train and improve job effectiveness.
This trip gave the Airmen here a chance to work and train with a fully equipped Air Force Reserve Command unit in maintaining the refueling aircraft.
“Bringing the 927th Maintenance personnel here to help train on the tankers was a great success,” said Chief Master Sgt. John Erwin, 940th Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “Not only did we receive great training we were able to give training to some of their folks.”
The 927th ARW journey to Beale gave both units an opportunity to help each other.
“The 927th has a high pace work environment at MacDill, for them to be able to come out here and train without having to juggle with flying schedules, appointments or spreadsheets made for the perfect training environment,” said Erwin.
The team from Florida also flew to California to complete an annual training requirement for two weeks.
“This was a great opportunity for those who don’t get to travel,” said Chief Master Sgt. Erin Willis of the 927th AMXS. “This trip opened the door for back shop airmen. “
The California journey gave back shop airmen time to improve their skills sustaining the tanker aircraft mission.
Master Sgt. Allison Clarke, 927th ARW, said the tour gave her airmen much needed training on the flight line away from the busy work load at MacDill.
Clarke said back at MacDill the focus is getting jets off the ground leaving little time to train. Here they received valuable training to improve our mission effectiveness.
This collaboration helped the 940th Wing prepare for its future mission as an air refueling wing.
“Their group commander, Lt. Col. Kelly Baily was proud of the efforts and professionalism of his MacDill reservists at Beale,” said Willis.