Maintenance groups notch rare achievment

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Clark
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Every month, the 60th and 349th Maintenance Groups team up to meet their Mission Capable Rate and Homestation Logistics Departure Reliability metrics set by Air Mobility Command.

In April, the crews met all rates for all three types of aircraft assigned to Travis, which include the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster and KC-10 Extender.

"To put this in perspective, the last time all three weapons systems assigned to Travis met all of these metrics simultaneously was July 2007," said Col. Dwight Sones, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "The combined Travis MXG team continues to push the bar higher. We are incredibly proud of all the hard work our crews put in every month to not only meet these metrics, but most importantly, continue to accomplish our everyday mission."

This accomplishment was recognized beyond the gates of Travis.

"This is an amazing feat," said Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander. "The 60th and 349th teams should be justifiably proud."

The MCR, is an indicator of how many aircraft are ready to go to war at any given time, and the HSLDR measures how often aircraft take off on time at Travis to meet the mission. These metrics focus on logistics-related factors from aircraft maintenance, supply, fuels and aerial port.

"There is a dizzying array of specialties involved with getting our mission off on time logistically," said Col. Mark Weber, 60th Maintenance Group commander.

Aircraft crew chiefs and specialists on the flightline work the complex avionics, jet engines, hydraulics and electrical systems installed on the aircraft. There is also an enormous capability off the flightline to build and repair aircraft parts and maintain all the support equipment, Weber said.

One of Travis' missions is to move cargo and passengers.

"A mission will not depart on time if its cargo isn't ready and loaded properly prior to takeoff," Weber said. "Our port hasn't had a home station delay since last July, a very impressive streak."

"Working in the aircraft maintenance or aerial port career field is hard work, with very long days often in tough conditions," Weber said. "I am continually impressed by the motivation and pride that our technicians and port dawgs bring to the fight, going the extra mile to make sure their work is done right the first time. They continually bring love, energy and audacity to this mission," he said.

"We strive to always provide safe and reliable aircraft for every local training sortie and worldwide mission," Weber said. "What this really shows is that Travis is ready to answer the call, whether it happens tonight or six months from now."