QA - The Eyes And Ears

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Clark
  • 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Little Rock Air Force Base's 314th Maintenance Squadron and the 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron join forces to form the 314th Maintenance Group's Quality Assurance flight to ensure standards are upheld and maintenance is accomplished correctly and safely.

Quality assurance consists of approximately 20 members combined from the 314th Maintenance Squadron or the 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron who come from their normal jobs into QA. They are selected by their supervisors for an interview with Senior Master Sgt. Ed Guilliams, squadron QA superintendent. According to Staff Sgt. Chad Bond, QA inspector, only skilled, dedicated
Airmen are considered for the QA flight.

"I was highly recommended by my [senior leadership], because I had a good reputation. I also interviewed with the QA superintendent so he could see what my core values are," Sergeant Bond said. "I believe they picked me, because I am dedicated to working hard, and I'm self motivated, which is important in this career." Not only does QA inspect equipment; they also inspect the equipment's maintainers.

"QA is responsible for inspections on the aircraft, installation, training and personnel who work on the aircraft. QA performs about 400 inspections every month," Sergeant Guilliams said.

According to Sergeant Guilliams, the QA flight's job is vital to ensuring standards are upheld at all times; when things aren't done correctly, they can lead to safety mishaps.

"We highlight things that are done well, as well as [areas, processes, etc.] things that may need improvement, or that may need more attention," he said. "It gives everybody a better idea where to go with their maintenance."

According to Sergeant Bonds, the biggest reward of being a QA inspector is improving the mission by improving the maintainers' skills through their inspections.

"Every day is a memorable experience to talk with and teach these Airmen. A lot of the time, our job isn't the best one out there, because we have to
," he said. "But you do get a chance to set that aside and train the Airmen to do the job right and give them a second chance."