Tool custodians help supply maintainers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 69th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Maintainers are a necessary part of any Air Force operation. Without knowledgeable Airmen, a small item such as a bad switch on a unit can be the difference between an aircraft taking off as scheduled and a flight being postponed.

Members of the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron support flight provide the means necessary for maintainers to keep jets in the air every day at Travis.

The support flight is the maintainer for the maintainers - repairing and replacing the tools aircraft maintainers need to accomplish their mission.

"The most challenging part of the equipment custodian job is trying to fix parts that are made from companies that no longer exist," said Staff Sgt. Kurt Joob, 60th AMXS support flight equipment custodian. "Many of the jobs that are done on the aircraft require specialized equipment. Without the maintenance and tracking of these items, a lot of these jobs would be extremely difficult, dangerous or impossible to complete."

As equipment custodian, Joob manages test equipment and tools used on the C-5 Galaxy. Some of the tasks of this job include periodic inspections, tracking use, replacing as needed and deploying of the tools and equipment, he said.

Another of the many tasks assigned to the support squadron is to manage hazardous materials.

"My responsibilities include the oversight of hazardous material storage, shelf-life and proper disposal," said Zachary Grove, 60th AMXS tool custodian. "I am also responsible for 100 percent training of unit individuals to ensure they know how to properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials used on the flightline."

One of the most difficult parts of his job is knowing and complying with the many Air Force, federal, state and local instructions, regulations and laws for hazardous materials, Grove said.

The support squadron is appropriately named because the accountability, maintenance, tools and support it provides flightline maintainers is critical to the mission.

"Without the proper tools, equipment and hazmat the planes would not receive maintenance," Grove said. "We provide the right tools for the job so flightline maintainers can perform their jobs."