Airmen turn empty Bulgarian hangar into A-10 hub

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria (AFNS) --  As aircraft maintenance and support Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, packed to support Exercise Reunion April 2009 at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria, they had to be prepared for any problem that might arise. 

A Bulgarian SU-25 unit at Bezmer Air Base provided the A-10 Thunderbolt II maintenance and support Airmen a hangar in which to set up operations for the joint training exercise.

"This is the first time a (U.S. Air Forces in Europe) fighter squadron has deployed to this location, so setting up the operations and maintenance facilities to handle A-10 operations was pretty much from the ground up," said Maj. Benjamin Griffith, an 81st Fighter Squadron pilot. "As a result, it was a challenge and also a training opportunity for ourselves in how we deploy to a location that has not supported our fighter ops before."

The Airmen brought spare parts, plus more than 4,000 pounds of equipment ranging from tool boxes to avionic test systems.

"We brought a lot of stuff, everything that is mandatory and a little more, just so (to be) safe, but we really have not run into any problems," said Airman 1st Class Josh Stubstad, a 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron crew chief.

The result is almost a mirror image of the support provided at Spangdahlem AB, said Master Sgt. Kevin LeBlanc, the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron NCO in charge of sortie support. "We had to plan ahead for contingencies and things we would need if something broke because repair components aren't as readily available here."

The Airmen had to consider many factors while turning the empty hangar into the maintenance operations hub.

"One of the challenges (we had) was limited space inside of the hangar," Sergeant LeBlanc said. "We had to make sure we had enough room for everyone to operate safely with forklifts moving and that kind of thing."

The hangar was not the only work area they had to establish a safe layout for. They also had to set up aircraft parking and work areas on the flightline.

Compared to Spangdahlem AB, the way the flightline is laid out is a bit different, Airman Stubstad said. 

"Other than that, everything we need is really accessible and really close," he said. "Some points are better because it is closer together."

An additional consideration the Airmen had when setting up operations was the fact they would be working with live munitions. This is the first time Airman John Medina, a 52nd AMXS aircraft maintenance apprentice, has loaded live munitions onto an aircraft.

"We have to make sure we do everything by the book," he said. "If we do something wrong, it can mess up what the pilot does. If one thing goes wrong, then it can lead to a whole series of unfortunate events."

The Airmen put in long hours transforming the hangar into a functional A-10 support area.

"As challenging as it has been to set up basically a bare base from scratch everyone has really pulled together helping each other out, making sure everything was working in the and things were getting done the way they need to get done," Sergeant LeBlanc said. "I think that is pretty much the most impressive part (of this)."

The hard work has all been worth it according to Airman Medina.

"The most rewarding part of this experience is knowing that I am helping the pilots train for war," he said. 

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