Maintenance tour works for honorary commander visitors Published Aug. 16, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland Texas -- Eight 433rd Airlift Wing honorary commanders toured the 433rd Maintenance Group here Aug. 15 where honorary commanders were greeted by Col. Dave Scott, 433rd Wing Vice Commander, and Col. Gretchen Wiltse, 433rd Maintenance Group commander and host for the day. During the tour, the San Antonio community leaders visited a C-5A Galaxy on the flight line, propulsion, metals technology, and sheet metal shops in order to better understand a vital part of the wing's mission. "It's really important that they understand the economic impact that we bring to the base, the skill sets we bring and the pride our folks have in their jobs," Wiltse said. Throughout the morning, the honorary commanders were treated to war-time skill demonstrations from squadrons that fall under the control of the 433rd MXG and gaining new insights into the maintenance mission. Edward Murphree, honorary commander for the 74th Aerial Port Squadron, said he was amazed to find out the maintainers fabricate their own parts for the aircraft. "I didn't know you made your own parts," he said. The C-5A's the Alamo Wing flies were built by Lockheed in the 1960's, and discontinued in 1973. Therefore, parts for the aircraft have to be made in house. "This is absolutely incredible. You fly planes that are older than me, and I was born in 1969. They don't make parts for these planes anymore. You have a facility that allows you to make your parts, and having a tour of that is incredible," Murphee said. "Without maintenance, nothing exists," said 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron honorary commander Steve Richmond who is in charge of restaurant maintenance for his families' pizza establishments. "Maintenance is an expense, but without it, nothing works," he said. The tour concluded at noon at the maintenance operations center. "It is important for the honorary commanders to understand how these folks are Citizen Airmen and doing this on their weekends, but they are also very active in their communities during the week," Wiltse said. This tour also gave Citizen Airmen an opportunity to show off their shops and their successes." "This program is a great opportunity for them to learn about the Air Force Reserve and its' Citizen Airmen, and for us to learn about them as well to build some bridges and relationships," she said.