I joined the USAF in June of 1990 (just a few weeks after graduation). I went to basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. It was a six week ordeal there then off to Tech school I went.
I had to go to two different tech schools for my Air Force job speciality. First tech school was in Sheppard AFB, Witchita Falls,Texas. Here is where I learned how to identify the diferant types of corrosion, how to treat the corrosion and learned how to prep and paint differant parts. I also learned how to use corrosion treatents to include alodine of aluminum, chromic acid pickle solution for magnesium, and how to passivate steel. I graduated from Sheppard in October of 1990 and was flown to Illinois, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois to be exact.
Here I learned the sheetmetal aspect of an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Specialist. I learned how to shoot rivets and identify which rivet is which by the head markings, also, how to remove them correctly. I learned the many different typed of bolts that were used on aircraft and how to install and remove them, which also included the blind bolts. I was taught how to make a SAS (Simulated Aircraft Structure). I had to make the different ribs and the skin to make it look like a portion of a wing. After the SAS was made I had to take a hammer to it and make a flush repair and a non-flush repair on it. After the repairs on the SAS were complete it was destroyed and sent to get recycled.
When the sheetmetal part was done I had to go through a three week session of fiberglassing advanced composites. These advanced composites included boron, graphite, kevlar, etc. I learned how to repair different types of damage to include honeycomb core replacement. he honeycomb core is what halps make an aircraft strong and still keep the weight to a minimum. I can stand on a one inch thick core and not hurt it. The core is lightweight and strong. It is made out of aluminum, phenolic, graphite, etc.
After my tech school was complete I was first stationed in Malmstrom AFB, Montana. I ended up working on a Boeing 707 modified for the Air Force mission of refueling--KC-135R. I was there for six years and got moved to MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida via the BRACC committee. The BRACC committee are the folks who make decisions on what base will either relocate or close down. This is where my final active duty military destination will be. Now, that I have taken the high year tenure way out of the Active Duty Air Force, I moved back to Montana (Great Falls) and am, now serving with the Montana Air National Guard. I work one weekend a month, and two weeks a year. I am, now, what is also known as the "Weekend Warrior" working mainly for the state of Montana. :-)
I have been TDY (Temporary Duty) to many locations in the U.S.A and to several different countries around the world. I have seen a lot in my time with the active duty Air Force. I, also, have earned around 13 different awards and medals and ribbons that you see on the military uniforms.
I have worked on several other aircraft besides the KC-135R they include:RC-135, EC-135, KC-135A, C-130, C-5, AWACS, F-15, F-16, and UH-1N.
If you want to see what these aircraft look like, want to know more about them and many others, or if you just want to know more about the Air Force, click onto the link below
These are the countries that I have been to while on active duty
