22nd MXS stays efficient despite losing hangar space

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  With the demolition of Hangar 1106 and ongoing construction projects taking place on base, the 22nd Maintenance Squadron has had their share of learning what it means to be flexible while remaining efficient.

The squadron has gone from utilizing seven hangar bays to three. Multiple shops have been relocated to different buildings with some even being housed in temporary trailers.

Airman 1st Class Jared Sparks, 22nd MXS aircraft hydraulics journeyman, is one of many Airmen who made the transition from working in a hangar to working out of a trailer.

Sparks explained that in Hangar 1106 tools and equipment were close to the work area and communicating with leadership was easier because offices were in close proximity. Working from the trailers has separated all of this and taken away the convenience and comfort of the previous work conditions.

Despite these new challenges, the maintenance team has adapted to the circumstances and continues to provide unparalleled maintenance to the KC-135 Stratotankers.

"Good preplanning and time management [are key]," said Tech. Sgt. William Morris, 22nd MXS electrical and environmental technician. "We have to think about what we might need before starting the task. If we forget something, we're running back to get it and now we've lost 20 to 25 minutes."

Keeping up with the work load with less available hangar space means every minute is vital. The limited space significantly affects the scheduling of important tasks including washing aircraft, completing inspections and fuel cell maintenance.

"We used to have a lot more flexibility in how we scheduled things," said Chief Master Sgt. John Cummings, 22nd MXS superintendent. "Now we have to be very efficient in order to move airplanes in and out in a timely manner."

One example of scheduling changes that have been made to compensate for the loss of hangar space can be seen during aircraft washes.

Prior to construction, two aircraft would be towed into two hangar bays at the end of the week so contractors could wash them over the weekend. The aircraft moved back out either when they were needed on the flying schedule or early Monday morning.

"Now, given that we can only use one hangar bay at a time, and we have additional aircraft washes due to the Block 45 rotations, we will run them through one after the other and get the hangar opened back up for other maintenance as soon as possible," said Cummings.

Despite the obstacles that have surfaced in the wake of the current construction, adjustments like these have helped the 22nd MXS stay up-to-date with keeping McConnell's aircraft mission-ready.

"If we don't get the scheduled maintenance done, the airplane is grounded until its specific inspection requirement is accomplished," said Cummings.  "We're on track but we don't have any comfort zone left. We're definitely walking very close to the edge, but we're handling it."

The tight scheduling and inconvenient work space will continue for the team until the new hangars are completed. In the mean time, the 22nd MXS will carry on with their jobs, remaining flexible and efficient.

"I couldn't ask for anymore from [the Airmen]," said Cummings. "They've been very well disciplined in following the rules and still getting the mission done even with all the compromises."