325th MXS Keeps Aircraft Airborne

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/6/2015 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Maintenance Squadron keeps the mission going with unrivaled airpower.

In accordance with the Squadron of the Week theme, various shops within the squadron are noted for their contributions to the 325th Fighter Wing mission.

According to www.tyndall.af.mil, the 325th Maintenance Squadron conducts intermediate-level maintenance to support pilot training for the F-22 Raptor squadron, manages and maintains a munitions stockpile valued at more than $275 million, and provides avionics support for 114 line-replaceable units. Additionally, the squadron performs periodic inspections and structural repair for 325th Fighter Wing-assigned aircraft and conducts engine maintenance and hush house test cell operations for Pratt and Whitney F-100 and F-119 engines.

Within the 325th MXS, there are several units whose duties include collecting, servicing, repairing, storing and dispensing various components to fighter jets on base.

The 325th MXS propulsion flight for example; inspects, repairs and tests the 325th FW 139 F119-PW-100 jet engines, valued at more than $1.5 Billion dollars, through managing and directing all allocated resources. Also, the propulsion flight is responsible for repairing and maintaining all associated engine trailers, testing equipment, and tooling.

"We are also tasked to coordinate with Pratt & Whitney field service representatives to implement F-119-PW-100 engine modifications," said Tech. Sgt. Travis Laverne, 325th MXS assistant section chief.  "In addition, we assist assigned aircraft maintenance units and transient units with any propulsion related issues and repairs."

According to Laverne, the propulsion flight begin their tasks with conducting a production meeting that provides oversight of all engines that have been received into the propulsion shop for maintenance.

Service members, Department of Defense employees and civilian contractors work together to complete the mission of the propulsion flight.

"Our Pratt & Whitney field service representatives attend this meeting and update us on any changes or notifications they have received in relation to the engines assigned to Tyndall," said Laverne. "We are also tasked to coordinate with Pratt & Whitney field service representatives to implement F-119-PW-100 engine modifications."

The propulsion flight staff's work and schedule are shift based, which means their job is never done. They've taken part in one of the largest recorded Weapons Systems Evaluation Program in this previous month. The purpose of the WSEP is to evaluate operational Department of Defense and foreign ally personnel, fighters, missiles and gunnery in realistic air combat scenarios.

Another unit within the 325th MXS is Ammo.

With shops spread across the installation, the ammo flight prepares necessary armaments which the mission demands.

The ammo unit contains more than 160 personnel with eight shops that create, transport, inspect, store and dispose ammo to accomplish the needs of live fires and training operations.

"We are very integrated with numerous shops on base," said Laverne. "There are various maintenance tasks that require evaluation for potential damage that may not be seen by naked eye. We also lean heavily on Sheet metal and Metals techs services for numerous tasks that can range from evaluations to performing associated metal work on the engine."