HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- For a Reserve fighter wing, maintaining an Air Combat Command phase performance rate is the result of a flawless phase flow, strategic planning and unrivaled teamwork.
The 419th Fighter Wing has consistently beat the Air Force Reserve Command standard of 73 percent mission capable for the last 10 months. They have routinely achieved the 83 percent mission capable standard set by ACC for their active duty units, who, unlike AFRC fighter units, are manned for full-time, three-shift operations.
"This is indicative of a thousand right decisions across the board," said Maj. Max Stitzer, the maintenance group deputy commander. "It's all about teamwork and drawing the units in the group together, as well as close cooperation with the Operations Group and 466th Fighter Squadron, to form one cohesive team."
Currently, the phase section consists of seven Air Reserve Technicians who work two shifts, five days a week.
"Ultimately, about 15 sets of hands are involved in the overall process from the pre-phase contract to selling the jet back to the AMU (aircraft maintenance unit)," said Senior Master Sgt. Mike Iarossi, the 419th maintenance flight chief. "An average active duty wing has between 65-100 personnel in the maintenance flight; we have 7-10."
Two weekends a month, on the main and alternate drill weekends, Traditional Reservists augment the phase process and provide a seamless flow of work.
"When the TRs come in, the ARTs kind of step back and become supervisors," said Staff Sgt. Paul Cocanour, an aircraft maintenance crew chief. "That lets the younger guys get the training and experience they need."
Using 117 individual work cards, each step of the phase is described and checked off by the appropriate working group. Some work cards have multiple tasks and necessary upgrades are also drafted into the phase process.
"One thing we strive to do is build everything into the phase so the AMU can get four to six months of good flying time before doing any more heavy maintenance," Sergeant Iarossi explained.
The phase process is already very in depth, starting with the de-fueling and checking the hydrazine-fueled emergency power unit. After the jet is put on jacks, the landing gear is changed out and lubricated. The jet is then put back on the ground for the remainder of the comprehensive servicing.
"The 100-plus panels are taken off and all the thousands of fasteners that hold them in place," Sergeant Iarossi trailed off with a daunting look on his face. "Then the engine comes out and checks are conducted on the weapons, avionics, structure, egress, electrical systems, machinist, and extensive non-destructive testing for cracks."
Once everything is inspected and all the discrepancies are documented, the "fix phase" begins.
"We are lucky to have very skilled Reservists that work for us," Sergeant Iarossi commented on the vast expertise wing Reservists bring to the table. "We can fix most anything in house."
After everything is fixed, quality checks are performed and only one deficiency is allowed in each of the five zones on the aircraft.
Considering the complexity and importance of the phase inspection process, the 419th is proud to maintain the same inspection standards as their active duty counterparts with whom they share the phase dock.
"It's great to work with the 388th," said Staff Sgt. Steve Zack, an aircraft maintenance crew chief, as he helped tighten a part through a very slim opening. "We look forward to working with them more and helping each other out."
Sergeant Iarossi, holding a flashlight and small mirror, conducted quality checks on the jet currently in for phase. After the aircraft completes the rigorous quality assurance it is "sold" back to the AMU and put back into the flying rotation.
And, for the crew chiefs in the phase dock, the process starts all over again.