Coming Clean, Maintaining fuel systems a dirty job for 60th MXS Airmen Published March 18, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Katie Batchelder 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- After a day on the job, Air Force Reservist Tech. Sgt. Barrett Read, 60th Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems repair, has to change his clothes in the garage before his wife lets him in the house. Sergeant Read maintains fuel systems on the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster and the KC-10 Extender. While working, Sergeant Read and other fuel systems maintainers wear coveralls, special boots and forced air respirators, and are often covered in fuel from head to toe by the end of the day. They have to climb through very tight spaces to reach locations in the aircraft wing that require maintenance. Sergeant Read, as well as the entire team of fuel systems maintainers, has quite an optimistic view of his duties despite these demanding duties and rigorous tasks. "It's a hard job. People don't get to see, nor do they understand what it takes," said Sergeant Read. "The plane won't go anywhere without us. It gives us a sense of ownership. No one else on this base can go inside that fuel tank and do what we do." Sergeant Read is just one example of an enthusiastic individual who represents what Team Travis is all about. There are many more that do behind-the-scenes jobs on a day-to-day basis, contributing to the success of our mission at Travis. "We are all proud to be a part of Team Travis," said Sergeant Read. "It feels good to watch the aircraft take off and know that we contributed to the end result."