Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Spc. Wayne Montgomery, Company C “Blue Max," Task Force Phoenix, 10th...... read more read more
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 23-year-old OH-58 Kiowa helicopter maintainer from Sahuarita, Ariz., grew up with aviation heritage coursing through his veins. His grandfather retired from the Air Force, his father served with the Air Force for five years, and his grandmother worked on Rolls-Royce helicopter engines.
U.S. Army Spc. Wayne Montgomery, Company C “Blue Max”, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, TF Falcon, said he followed his family tradition with enthusiasm.
Montgomery said he cannot imagine doing anything but aviation; it was only natural when he began his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Aeronautical Management Technology at Arizona State University in August 2005.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph King. from York, Pa., and Montgomery’s platoon sergeant in Company C, reflected on his soldier’s interest in aviation.
“He wanted to be both (a pilot and mechanic),” said King, “He went to school to become a pilot before joining the military and then took up the wrench (in the Army) to understand certain fundamentals of the field.”
Montgomery said his deep-rooted passion for the aviation field keeps him motivated.
“Just about everyone loves flying,” said Montgomery, “It’s a very rewarding job. Plus, not everyone can say they work on helicopters.”
As he’s turning wrenches on his assigned aircraft, Montgomery said he feels satisfied knowing he is doing everything to standard - providing each pilot with a dependable aircraft.
Montgomery said he enjoys the friendly competition among his fellow mechanics on whose aircraft is the best.
“You wouldn’t send your child to tee-ball and dislike them when they don’t do well,” said Montgomery with a laugh. “You would take pride in them and support them. It’s the same for our aircraft.”
Montgomery’s unit is the only one in the task force that fully supports two airframes. This has provided him an opportunity to learn how to maintain the AH-64 Apache helicopter as well.
“Learning how to work on a different airframe breaks up the monotony,” said Montgomery. “It is also good cross-training.”
King said he knows Montgomery will make a great Army leader in the field of aviation.
“I think that he put it best when he went in front of the promotion board,” said King. “Montgomery was asked by 1st Sgt. Howard, why is it that with his high test scores did he want to come in as a mechanic? Montgomery simply stated that he did it because the best male role models of his life – his father and grandfather - were aircraft mechanics. That told me right there, he (is in the Army) to learn what he can from any and everybody and then to be able to pass it along to those who will be working under him soon - exactly what an NCO should do.”
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2011 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 70693 |
| Location: | PARWAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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