Hooking up the hose

Airman 1st Class Evan Hughes attaches the “blue juice” hose to rinse out the lavatory tank and to fill up the charge tank of a C-17 Globemaster III, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 23, 2012. This process is accomplished on every aircraft in transit through Ramstein ensuring that every plane is cleaned prior to taking off again. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes.)

Draining a tank

Airman 1st Class Evan Hughes begins draining the lavatory tanks of a Boeing 747, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 23, 2012. This process is accomplished on every aircraft in transit through Ramstein ensuring that every plane is cleaned prior to taking off again. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes.)

Fleet services showcases excellence

Published May 16, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 721st Aerial Port Squadron fleet services flight had a quick turnaround time for two modified Boeing 747s May 2, here.

Two inbound Boeing 747s needing full service usually takes from two to three hours to complete. However, the team working on both aircrafts showcased "Excellence in All We Do" by having a turnaround time of 45 minutes.

"Even though they were some of the larger aircrafts to come through it was just another job," said Airman 1st Class Felicia Ryder, 721st APS fleet service specialist and team member working on the Boeing 747s. "We were training and getting our job done like any other day."

Getting the job done was only a portion of the equation for the Airmen working on the modified Boeing 747s.

"It makes me feel good to see my Airmen out on the line working hard," said Master Sgt. Kevin Brown, 721st APS superintendent of fleet services. "It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I can trust them to get the job done."

The 721st APS works on many different aircraft, totaling about 1,000 missions per month.

"We work on C-40s, C-20s, C-17s, -- if it lands here, we work on it," said Ryder. "Each aircraft needs different things. The dispatcher gets a call when the aircraft is coming in to let us know what they need. Then we standby and make sure we do our best to get it in the air; restocked and ready to go."

The 721st APS loads and unloads equipment and comfort supplies for the aircraft, delivers meals and takes care of sewage, water and trash.

"Dispatching is also a part of our job," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Lagesse, 721st APS fleet services specialist. "It includes receiving and disseminating information, checking for accuracy, sending out the teams, getting information on what needs to be done once the aircraft lands and keeping a record of events."

From dispatching to restocking, fleet services takes on a whole-team mentality to get their mission accomplished.

"My favorite part about the job is my co-workers," said Ryder. "We have a great team and everyone works really well together and that's what makes this job amazing. I have great supervisors as well, which keeps our morale high and that makes me want to come into work and give 100 percent every day."