Photo By Gina Randall | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Mwangi, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron...... read more read more
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RAF MILDENHALL, United Kingdom - In the 100th LRS refueling maintenance shop ensures fuel reaches aircraft through the use of refueling trucks that must be ready at all times. Currently, two Airmen from the 100th LRS vehicle management flight are tasked to keep the trucks on the road.
“My job is to take care of all 100th Air Refueling Wing aircraft refueling trucks,” said Staff Sgt. Peter Mwangi, 100th LRS NCO in charge of refueling maintenance from Las Vegas, Nevada. “They’re a big role in mission completion, so they have to be fully operational at all times.”
Mwangi and his teammate, Airman 1st Class Jacob Rievel, 100th LRS refueling maintenance journeyman from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, work to get the job done.
“We maintain trucks that refuel the aircraft,” said Rievel. “We make sure the pumping system is good, as well as all other components which make these trucks operational.”
Their time working in the refueling maintenance shop provides the vehicle maintenance Airmen a different experience. The time assigned at their temporary work center varies from person to person.
“I’m going to be here for about six months,” said Mwangi.
However, for Rievel, this new duty location lasts longer.
“I’ll be here until I Permanent Change of Station,” the journeyman said. “Last year, I did about six or seven months out here in fuels so I have some experience in the field.”
It’s the Airmen’s experience and skills that are vital to their selection to work on the trucks.
“For refueling trucks, you have to know them very well; you have to know them inside and out to ensure any problems have been fixed,” Rievel explained. “There’s a lot to these trucks that’s challenging, but enjoyable too.”
The working relationship between the two flights — fuels specialist and vehicle management — grows in strength with this sharing of skills and personnel.
“Every morning, we receive reports on the status of trucks from fuels personnel and at the end of the day we give them our status,” Mwangi explained. “Sometimes, I have some of their personnel help us with some basic maintenance issues when they have free time, so they can learn and see what we do.”
They know long hours in the shop away from the work center could seem daunting, but these Airmen make the most of each day serving their country.
“I love waking up very early in the morning to come to a place of work that I enjoy and feel appreciated in,” Mwangi said. “I have great leadership that both supports and motivates me, and they encourage me to do the job to the highest standard. This job may be challenging at times but it is made easy because of the leadership and people I work with.”
Although the job may be daunting, these Airmen are looking to their futures.
“I plan on giving 20 years of service to the Air Force,” said Mwangi. “The tools the Air Force equips me with, for example education and leadership skills, are very important and would make me competitive when transitioning to civilian life.”
He learns these leadership skills from those around him, who are shaping the leaders of the future.
“I have great leadership and management who support me,” said Mwangi. “They are there for me. Everything that I do is appreciated.”
Their leaders share the Airmen’s enthusiasm and pride.
“These Airmen are stellar team members!” exclaimed Master Sgt. Adam Morrison, 100th LRS Vehicle Fleet manager from Breese, Illinois. “They consistently deliver lasting results and are universally dedicated to their roles and responsibilities in support of providing air refueling operations in the European theater.”
The Airmen’s leadership is reaping the rewards from having skilled workers taking care of these vital assets, trucks that fuel the mission.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2015 09:24 |
| Story ID: | 162863 |
| Location: | RAF MILDENHALL, GB |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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