433rd "Alamo Wing" Honorary Commanders learn about the maintenance mission and the C-5A Galaxy aircraft

Tech. Sgt. David Alsip, sheet metal mechanic assigned to the 433rd Maintenance Squadron Corrosion Shop, explains the molding machinery that manufactures fiberglass and plastic interior panels for the C-5A Galaxy aircraft assigned to the 433rd Airlift Wing. Fifteen Honorary Commanders visited the Corrosion and other C-5A maintenance shops on Jan. 18, 2013 to learn more about the wing's C-5A maintenance mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Major Timothy Wade)

433rd "Alamo Wing" Honorary Commanders learn about C-5A Galaxy and the maintenance function

Staff Sgt. Steve Morris a metals technician, with the 433rd Metals Technology shop, demonstrates the computer numerical control mill center, while Master Sgt. Fidencio "Pete" Ramon the metals’ shop chief looks on. The demonstration was performed for 15 visiting Honorary Commanders of the 433rd Airlift Wing, who visited the wing on Jan. 18, 2013 for a tour of the wing's maintenance mission. The Honorary Commander program assigns area civic and business leaders to wing senior leadership to educate them about the wing's mission and the role they play with the Reserve forces and National Defense. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Major Timothy Wade)

433rd "Alamo Wing" Honorary Commanders learn about the 433rd AW maintenance mission

Col. Charles Combs, left, 433rd Maintenance Group commander, looks on as Col. Aaron Vangelisti, 433rd Airlift Wing vice commander, greets 15 visiting Honorary Commanders for their first event as commanders, Jan. 18, 2013. Commanders visited various shops within mainteance group. The Honorary Commander program assigns area civic leaders with wing senior leadership to teach them about the wing's role within the Reserve forces, the U.S. Air Force, and the national defense.

433rd "Alamo Wing" Honorary Commanders learn about the maintenance mission and the C-5A Galaxy aircraft

Tech. Sgt. John Gonzalez, a metals technician for the 433rd Structural Repair shop, demonstrates the metal-tubing bender to Otis Scott, an engineering careers counselor for the University of Texas at San Antonio and Honorary Commander for the 26th Aerial Port Squadron at the 433rd Airlift Wing. The tour was one of eight shop visits made by 15 visiting Honorary Commanders to learn about the wing's maintenance mission and the C-5A Galaxy aircraft. The Honorary Commanders program partners area civic and business leaders with wing senior leadership to educate them about the wing's mission and its role in the Reserve forces, the U.S. Air Force, and the national defense. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Major Timothy Wade)

433rd "Alamo Wing" Honorary Commanders learn about C-5 Galaxy maintenance mission

Fifteen Honorary Commanders assigned to the 433rd Airlift Wing pose with their partnered wing senior leadership and delegates in front of a massive C-5A Galaxy assigned to the "Alamo Wing" at the end of their tour of the mainteance group, Jan. 18, 2013. The Honorary Commander program joins area civic and business leaders with wing senior leadership to learn about the wing's mission and its role in the Air Force Reserve and the national defense.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Major Timothy Wade)

Alamo Wing Honorary Commanders receive lesson on C-5 maintenance

Published Jan. 26, 2013
By Elsa Martinez
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland -- Fifteen 433rd Airlift Wing's Honorary Commanders received a tour of the vast matrix of the C-5A Galaxy aircraft, and see the wing's maintenance mission first hand on Jan. 18, 2013.

The Honorary Commanders began their tour at the 433rd Maintenance Squadron's Propulsion Branch. After mingling with partnered wing leadership and delegates, guests were seated for a breakfast reception in a hanger surrounded by mammoth C-5A engines.

Before the tour started, Col. Aaron Vangelisti, 433rd Airlift Wing's vice commander, gave brief introductory remarks, before turning over the tour to Col. Charles Combs, Group commander, and his team of maintainers.

Combs stressed to guests that the "Alamo Wing's" maintenance Airmen not only maintained the jet, but they are also innovators in C-5A maintenance methods and procedures.

"What you're going to see today are things that are specific not just to the wing or even to the plane, but to C-5A maintenance overall," he said. "For example, we manufacture many of the molded interior trim panels used for the C-5M refurbishment. That's something the 433rd developed that has been reproduced elsewhere at other C-5 units."

Following an intensive question-and-answer session, guests learned about the maintenance of the C-5 turbofan engines that surrounded them. They next traveled to the 433rd MXS's Corrosion Shop to learn about the manufacture of interior trim panels that Combs had mentioned.

Guests then toured 433rd MXS's Fabrication Flight, where they saw the Metals Technology, Welding and Sheet Metal shops. Crossing the street, guests visited the 433rd MXS's Aerospace Ground Equipment shop.

Wrapping up the event, were site visits to the 433rd MXS's Hydraulic and Aero Repair shops.

While visiting the units, Lacy Hampton, vice president for college services at St. Philips College and Honorary Commander for the 433rd MXS, marveled at the different aspects of the wing's aircraft maintenance that he had been unaware of previously.

"Visiting these shops has taught me so much about what a diverse maintenance mission the 433rd has and their impact on their flying mission," he said. "I'm anxious to share what I've learned today with our aviation technology students."

The highlight of the day's events was a walk-through tour of the C-5A Galaxy. Honorary Commanders were wowed when the giant airlifter's visor-type, hinged nose was opened and then lowered flush on the tarmac for entry.

Master Sgt. Tony Wilks, deputy superintendent for 433rd Operations Group's, 733rd Training Squadron, noted for visitors the unique design of the C-5A's landing gear.

"Ours is the only landing gear of its kind, where the wheels rotate inward, retract upward and then level out to finish the retraction process as the main gear doors are closed and locked. No other aircraft, military or commercial, has such a design that's so efficient," he said.

While walking around the cargo compartment, Sergio Gonzalez, an employee relations administrator for VIA Metropolitan Transit and Honorary Commander for the 433rd Mission Support Group's 26th Aerial Port Squadron, was awestruck by the C-5A's sheer size. A former Army National Guardsman, remarked, "I never knew what was going on here at the 433rd. It makes me want to put on a uniform again!"

The tour concluded with Honorary Commanders and 433rd leadership, sharing a Texas barbecue cooked and served by members of the 433rd MXG. Honorary Commanders shared their perspectives about the various and diverse maintenance functions.

Gary Cram, president and CEO of Cram Roofing and Honorary Commander for the 433rd Maintenance Group, summed up the day's experience.

"People would be amazed if they knew what was going on here," he declared. "They just don't know what's going on right here in their own backyard."