Photo By Airman 1st Class Halley Clark | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bernadette Kroondyk, Holloman Air Force Base avionics...... read more read more
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FORT WAYNE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. — During the 122nd Fighter Wing's (FW) conversion to the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, the base assembled the help of 15 active duty Air Force instructors who specialize in the maintenance of F-16s. Arriving from five bases, these instructors taught Airmen key aircraft fundamentals from January to April.
Through these instructors, the same Airmen who learned the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft barrel to tail are now working to understand the F-16 inside and out.
"Coming here was a little bit of a challenge or change for some of us," said Master Sgt. Bernadette Kroondyk, Holloman Air Force Base F-16 avionics systems instructor and project organizer for the joint endeavor. "I know for me, I normally teach people that have already had hands-on experience with the F-16. And, of course, all these guys here only worked on the A-10."
Although there was a slight difference in teaching methods, Kroondyk said that her students' aircraft maintenance background allowed for a smooth transition, only requiring a few adjustments on their end.
As 22 F-16s make their way to the 122nd FW in the coming future, maintainers often spend many hours on top, under and around the jets. So, as flight time ramps up, they can expect to carry a thicker coat of grease on their hands and to spend more quality time with the “vipers,” the F-16's unofficial nickname, as they prepare to send them to the battlefront. Prior to warzones, however, Airmen will continue to test and train on the valuable teachings these instructors provided.
The field training instructors (FTD), hailing from Luke, Holloman, Shaw, Nellis and Eielson Air Force Bases, left with more than an Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) talking point, though. Kroondyk said she took away a positive impression of the Air National Guard and the 122nd FW’s leadership practices, some of which she hopes to implement at her home base.
"We're all really appreciative and thankful for the hospitality that the 122nd FW gave us," said Kroondyk. "And we're definitely taking that graciousness back home with us."
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2024 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 468513 |
| Location: | FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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