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Travis NCO manages deployed KC-10 maintenance ops

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Staff Sgt. Michael Latiolais is an aerospace maintenance journeyman for KC-10 Extender aircraft at a non-disclosed base here.

Sergeant Latiolais is deployed with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Extender aircraft maintenance unit and is deployed from the 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. His hometown is Saint Martinville, La.

As a KC-10 Extender aerospace maintenance craftsman with the 380th EAMXS, Sergeant Latiolais supports maintenance of the KC-10 aircraft deployed with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. He supports the success of KC-10 aircraft to fly combat air refueling missions in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility providing refueling capability for U.S. and allied aircraft.

In 2009, KC-10s assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing flew more than 40,000 hours in support of 4,760 combat missions where they offloaded 422,000,000 pounds of fuel to 31,000 aircraft. They also provided direct support to more than 2,750 "troops in contact" actions in 2009.

In the first three months of 2010, Airmen supporting the KC-10 deployed air refueling mission in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility flew more than 1,000 sorties off-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations.

To keep the KC-10 flying in the deployed areas, Airmen like Sergeant Latiolais from the 380th EAMXS manage the maintenance of the KC-10 -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to its Air Force fact sheet, the KC-10 Extender is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0's primary mission is air refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

The official Air Force job description for aerospace maintenance craftsman shows Sergeant Latiolais is trained on advising on problems maintaining, servicing and inspecting aircraft and aerospace support equipment. He also uses technical data to diagnose and solve maintenance problems on aircraft systems and he interprets and advises on maintenance procedures and policies to repair aircraft and support equipment.

Sergeant Latiolais is also trained to test repaired components using mockups and test equipment and to adjust, align, rig and calibrate aircraft systems. He performs engine run-up, accomplishes weight and balance functions, and knows how to jacks, tows and service aircraft. Additionally, he supervises and performs aircraft and component inspections, interprets inspection findings and determines adequacy of corrective actions.

The 380th EAMXS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.