JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. —
As the U.S. Air Force continues to modernize its fleet and expand its capabilities, the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, plays a crucial role in maintaining and supporting the KC-46A Pegasus aircraft fleet, the Air Force’s newest air refueling aircraft.
As the aircraft enters full operational capability, the 605th AMXS is at the forefront of flight line maintenance, inspection and repair efforts that keep the KC-46A flying and ready to perform its mission.
“Maintaining the KC-46A is critical to our ability to project power, maintain global reach and ensure our strategic advantage,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Cameron Griffin, 605th AMXS commander. “The maintenance professionals here are key to ensuring that the KC-46A is mission-ready and can meet the demands of our warfighters, both at home and abroad.”
The KC-46A is a state-of-the-art aerial refueling tanker that replaced the 305th Air Mobility Wing’s aging KC-10 Extender fleet. The aircraft is equipped with advanced technologies, including a new boom system, hose and drogue system, and an updated cockpit, among other enhancements. These upgrades provide increased fuel delivery capabilities, better crew situational awareness and improved operational flexibility for the Air Force’s global mission.
The aircraft, built by Boeing, arrived here in 2019, and a total of 22 KC-46A aircraft are now stationed at the joint base. The 605th AMXS has been instrumental in ensuring the fleet’s readiness and sustainability, which includes routine inspections, troubleshooting and repairs, that can be complex due to the advanced systems integrated into the KC-46A.
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Whitley, 605th AMXS flying crew chief, has eight years of maintenance experience with the KC-10 prior to his assignment to the KC-46A and explains that working together can be key to troubleshooting an issue with the more advanced technologies on the aircraft.
“I’m learning from every shop, especially when we prepare to leave for missions,“ Whitley said. “It could be myself and someone who knows hydraulics assigned to the mission, but an issue comes up that has something to do with avionics – so we are always learning from each other and working as a team to get the plane ready to meet the mission.”
Ensuring the correct personnel are working the correct jobs so the aircraft is being maintained safely and reliably is the responsibility of Master Sgt. Justin Ostrander, one of the (Unit) KC-46A production superintendents who serve as maintenance leads.
“We are one of the last lines of defense for making sure that we’re sending a good product up in the air,” Ostrander said. “It is essential that we have the correct people, the correct equipment, and that we schedule maintenance to the right mission schedule to guarantee that the aircraft goes up safely and comes down safely.”
While the KC-46A brings incredible capability to the JB MDL mission set, it’s the Airmen on the ground, in the hangars and on the flight lines that make certain the aircraft are ready to meet the demands of the warfighter.
“Maintenance is critical to air mobility,” Griffin said. “It’s vital to ensuring that our aircraft are ready to take off at a moment’s notice. Our Airmen take great pride in what they do. They know that with each tool issued, inspection completed and every turn of a wrench that there is a ripple effect directly supporting our national security.”
As the KC-46A continues to integrate into the Air Force’s operations, the 605th AMXS will remain an essential part of its success. The squadron’s efforts will help guarantee the Air Force’s air refueling capabilities remain second to none, enabling warfighters to project power through global reach and agile maneuver.
