314 AMXS gold wants the gold

Senior Airman Brandon Gideon, a 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, performs a prop inspection to identify defects, dents, leaks and de-lamination of the nickel guard between the ice boot and blade, July 18, 2011, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Gideon will be competing with DOD, as well as, allied nations to enhance air mobility operations and promote esprit de corps during the Air Mobility Command RODEO 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Chisholm)

314 AMXS gold AMU wants the gold

Published July 21, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's gold aircraft maintenance unit is ready for the Air Mobility Command RODEO and is confident in its team's skills.

Senior Airman Tyler Mitsuyasu, one of the youngest members of the team, said he and the team will be going to McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and competing on maintenance of C-130s, and C-5s, C-17s, KC-135s and KC-10s will also be there. "Hopefully we'll bring home some trophies and do some good maintenance," he said.

"I consider everyone on the team a gold special. We have a lot of great talent in this AMU. Those individuals really set themselves apart with their work ethic and experience on the aircraft," said Master Sgt. Wayne McWilliams, production superintendent, maintenance team chief for 314th AMXS.

Mitsuyasu also believes his team has the talent to do well at RODEO.

"I believe we have some of the best maintainers going with us up there. They know everything they need to know and more. They represent our squadron very well," said Mitsuyasu.

McWilliams said his team has been preparing by getting into the books and doing research on aircraft inspections, general maintenance and ground handling. For mental preparation, he said his team has also been reading the AMC Operational Order.

Mitsuyasu said they prepared by fixing up the plane, making sure everything is correct, basically routine maintenance and things they do every day.

The team's research has given them the capability to compete to the best of their abilities. McWilliams said they will absolutely be going up against some tough competition.

"I have no doubt that our team is going to win," said Mitsuyasu. "We're putting a lot of man hours into this plane and, we have the best maintainers," he said.

Mitsuyasu said his experience being on the team has been a lot of fun, and everyone gets along well.

Team members are Tech. Sgt. Roger Geiger, Tech. Sgt. Max Shelton, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ellis, Staff Sgt. Jacob Winters, Staff Sgt. Cory Gussman, Staff Sgt. Kyle Sommerfeldt, Staff Sgt. Zachary Repklogle, Staff Sgt. Bradley Eckley, Airman 1st Class Colin Roling, Mitsuyasu and McWilliams.