Mobility Airman profile: Joint Base MDL staff sergeant maintains KC-10 engines at Southwest Asia outpost

Published Nov. 12, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Staff Sgt. Cory Puckett is an aerospace propulsion journeyman deployed with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Extender aircraft maintenance unit, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, at a non-disclosed location in Southwest Asia.

Sergeant Puckett is deployed from the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Headquartered at Joint Base MDL, the 305th AMW "extends America's global reach" by generating, mobilizing and deploying 32 KC-10 Extender and 13 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to conduct strategic airlift and air refueling missions worldwide, according to the wing's fact sheet. Additionally, the 305th AMW operates two of America's "largest strategic aerial ports supporting the delivery of cargo and personnel to combatant commanders abroad."

At his deployed location, Sergeant Puckett is part of a team in the 380th AMXS that keeps the KC-10 Extender aircraft deployed there ready for combat air refueling missions every day in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

As an aerospace propulsion journeyman for the KC-10, Sergeant Puckett plans, organizes and directs aerospace propulsion maintenance activities, his official Air Force job description shows. To do this he interprets and implements directives and publications pertaining to maintenance functions, including environmentally safe maintenance practices. He also determines resource requirements, including facilities, equipment and supplies, and he inspects and evaluates maintenance activities.

Aerospace propulsion Airmen like Sergeant Puckett also advise, perform troubleshooting and determines repair procedures on aircraft engines, the job description shows. He diagnoses and repairs malfunctions using technical publications and solves maintenance problems by studying drawings, wiring and schematic diagrams, technical instructions and analyzing operating characteristics of aircraft engines and propellers.

Sergeant Puckett is also trained to remove, install, inspect, repair and modify engines, engine modules and components and propellers and propeller components. He can disassemble and assemble engines and propellers adhering to prescribed procedures and prepare engines and propellers for installation, storage or transportation.

Furthermore, aerospace propulsion Airmen test components using bench mockups and test equipment, the job description states. They also install and remove engines on test stands and operate, evaluate and perform test stand functions on engines and they accomplish operator maintenance on test stands. Additionally, they inspect and maintain engine ground support equipment and operate and perform operator inspections on related support equipment. They also select, use and care for special tools, hand tools and test equipment.

To maintain their skill level and complete their job successfully, aerospace propulsion Airmen like Sergeant Puckett also need to maintain a large amount of mandatory job knowledge. Knowledge areas include mechanical, hydro-mechanical, electrical and pneudraulic principles applying to jet and turboprop engines and propellers, oil analysis principles, wear metal criteria and guidelines, concepts and application of maintenance directives and using and interpreting diagrams and technical publications.

The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.