439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron drives record readiness in operational support
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. – Before wheels hit the runway, the 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen spend countless hours ensuring aircraft readiness, setting the standard with a record high mission capable rate within Air Force Reserve Command.
The 439th AMXS maintains C-5M Super Galaxy’s, the largest aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. It’s capable of carrying over 120 tons of cargo and oversized equipment making it a valuable asset for global strategic airlift.
AMXS Airmen work on the flight line to complete aircraft launch, recovery, address maintenance issues and hands-on training in real time.
“We’re big on safety, quality and pride as our top three [priorities],” said 1st Lt. Gershon Patterson, 439th AMXS officer in charge. “Everything we do here has huge ramifications.”
Patterson reiterated speed never comes at the expense of safety. While launching aircraft and meeting timelines is an essential part of the mission, AMXS leadership empowers its Airmen to take the necessary time to ensure aircraft are safe, adhere to the technical orders and meet the high quality standards they’re held to.
“This is the best C-5M maintenance team you’ll find around,” Patterson said. “Right now, we’re at a historical 77% mission capable rate. In the past couple months, we’ve had 100% mission capability, so the team is doing really well.”
Patterson mentioned those metrics are high for the aircraft as the average typically falls near a 40-55% mission capable rate. Patterson said the Airmen’s constant desire to learn, innovate and strive for improvement while remaining grounded in supporting one another is what makes the unit shine.
“Between all eight jets we have, we’re competitive with each other to provide the best aircraft,” said Senior Airman Alexander Lerch, 439th AMXS crew chief. “Once a month, we get our reports back from the Wing on how we’re performing compared to all other [C-5M] units and we’re crushing everyone. It’s awesome to see all the hard work we do pays off and being noticed all around the Air Force.”
Lerch mentioned he credits his success to the mentorship he received early in his career, and his work speaks for itself. Lerch now assists training new Airmen and getting them ready to continue mission support.
“It’s a really good work environment,” said Lerch. “My trainer really pushed me to excel and train me, and he’s done a great job at that. Now I’m his assistant on the aircraft he runs.”
According to Lerch, one of the milestones he values most is seeing his name displayed on the side of the aircraft he maintains, a goal he remembers aspiring to when he visited the squadron prior to basic military training.
“I’m so proud of this group,” said Patterson. “Everyone shows up here every day excited to launch aircraft and support the global mission, and we see that with our historical numbers and our metrics.”
The 439th AMXS continues to set the standard for aircraft readiness and its success is centered on the Airmen’s commitment to excellence, attention to detail and teamwork.
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