8th AMXS: Always busy so Kunsan's always ready

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Haas
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron does a lot - to say the least. One day of driving around on the flight line observing these Airmen in action would make anyone's head spin.
These Airmen work 24/7 operations year-round to ensure aircraft, people and equipment are always combat ready.

They also work to generate and sustain combat airpower and ensure airworthiness and safety. All of this and more is accomplished by approximately 400 Airmen assigned to this maintenance squadron.

So why is the 8th AMXS so important? Simply put - if aircraft can't fly, the Wolf Pack can't take the fight North .

While maintenance in and of itself is viewed by many as a taxing job, this small yet busy world of aircraft preservation encounters challenges other career fields may not.

"A typical day for a maintainer includes working long hours outside all day, in both the extreme heat and cold temperatures," said Capt. Robert Leidel, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. "Availability of parts, manning, aging equipment and older aircraft are also some of the challenges we face. Many of the air conditioning units and equipment we use every day were built more than four decades ago."

And if that isn't enough to deal with, consider the fact that Kunsan Air Base's operations tempo is one of the highest in the Air Force.

"During the Operational Readiness Exercises, maintenance starts working three days before the exercise even officially kicks off," said the OIC. "We start early in preparation for our generation test, which normally occurs on the first day of the exercise. Also, while the rest of the base gets off work at the end of the exercise, maintainers are at work well into the night and oftentimes the following day trying to recover from the intensive flying that ensues during an exercise."

The 8th AMXS is comprised of several career fields to include avionics, crew chiefs, weapons, electrics and environment, engines, and supply. Each specialty contributes to the 8th AMXS mission as a whole.

While there are many specialties within this squadron, one is no more important than the other.

"Each specialty in this squadron is like a part of an engine," said the captain. "If one part is missing, the engine won't function properly - the same is true for the aircraft maintenance squadron. Each specialty is essential in achieving mission success, one being no more important than the other."