Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus AFB vehicle operators continue to drive the mission forward

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kirby Turbak
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - --  Imagine aircrew members walking over half a mile on a hot Oklahoma day, with the heat rising from the asphalt carrying a 20 pound bag full of equipment and two 5 gallon jugs of water and then having to fly a mission after that exhausting walk.

Thankfully they don't have to do this because one of the responsibilities of the 20 military members that make up the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations Flight's is to drive aircrew to and from the flightline.

"My job is important due to the fact we get the aircrew out to their plane early enough to do their preflight check," said Senior Airman Andrew Kitchen, 97th LRS Vehicle Operations Flight operator. "And without the pilots to pilot the planes we have no mission."

Vehicle operators start their day by doing a "preflight check" of their vehicle which includes inspecting the tires, checking the oil and lights. They also insure that their vehicle's interior and exterior is cleaned.

"On slow days the vehicles are cleaned inside and out," said Kitchen. "They look like they were taken right off the lot."

After the vehicle inspection and before the crack of dawn, drivers start picking up crew members. The aircrew pile into the van with all their equipment required for the long day of flying.

"On average we carry 30-40 passengers on and off the flight line a day," said Joseph Bacon, 97th LRS Vehicle Operations Flight driver.

Vehicle operations drivers not only take aircrew to and from the aircraft but they also drive distinguished visitors around the base too.

"One of the best perks of this job is networking," said Kitchen. "Networking is huge in this career field, when we drive all the higher ups that come through here the first face they see is pretty much us."

Some visitors that vehicle operators have driven around on Altus AFB are Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welch III, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody.

With guest like that visiting Altus AFB it is easy to see why it is important for vehicle operations to always look professional.