SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Unit: Field
Training Detachment 24, 372nd Training Squadron
Location: Aviano
Air Base, Italy
Mission: Deliver State-of-the-Art Maintenance and
Instructional Training to DoD Warfighters and International Partners --
Anytime, Any place
Vision: Maintenance Community's Training Source of
Choice...Today and Tomorrow
Motto: “To be the obvious choice for efficient and effective maintenance
training… Anytime, Anywhere.”
Staff: 14 Enlisted
Active Duty
What we
do:
Detachment 24 of the 372nd Training Squadron is assigned to
Aviano Air Base, Italy home of the 31st Fighter Wing and provides maintenance training
on the F-16 “Fighting Falcon.” Training aircraft
maintainers who support a vital mission with global impact, their instructors
work tirelessly to ensure that they’re “the obvious choice for efficient
maintenance, anytime, anywhere…” Composed of just 12 instructors across six AFSCs,
Detachment 24 makes up one of the squadron’s smaller detachments, but they take
the challenge in stride, going beyond the base perimeter, even as far as Naval Air
Station Sigonella, to keep airmen ready for whatever tasking may come next. The
Detachment Chief, Master Sgt. Richard Jones stated, “It’s amazing when you think about
the impact of our instructors. The 31st FW
is the tip of the spear, constantly being tasked with deterrence, rescue, and
combat missions throughout the Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Preparing
their maintainers to perform with precision is something that we take
seriously, so we give them the quality instruction they need to get the job
done.”
Det 24’s cadre stays hard at work, both in and out of the
classroom, often heading out to provide specialized training for Airmen to
advance what’s already been learned in their respective curriculums. As a team
they produce roughly 7.5K hours of instruction and 350 graduates annually. On top of servicing Aviano and satellite
installations, instructors assigned to Det 24 work to take their training responsibilities
a step further and provide assistance to NATO allies and other international
partners.
Recently, Tech. Sgt. Jessie Torres, Det 24’s NCOIC, Instructor
Element, hosted and briefed 18 Romanian Air Force personnel on their mission
and training operations. The Romanian
Air Force has recently purchased 12 F-16s from Lockheed-Martin and was touring
Aviano’s maintenance and training facilities to gain insight on operations.
Torres said, “Romania is our newest NATO partner to acquire F-16s and they are
curious on how we train our maintainers.
It is a pleasure to show our allies first hand on how we contribute to
the 31st Fighter Wing’s overall mission statement to deter aggression, defend
US and NATO interests and develop Aviano. They were particularly impressed with our
state-of-the-art training equipment and that we entrust our young enlisted
Airmen to perform maintenance with little to no supervision. Showcasing our training operations truly
shows Det 24’s impact on how Aviano’s maintainers are able to perform
maintenance with confidence because of the instruction we provide.”
Taking their commitment a step further, Det 24’s influence
and efforts can be felt across Aviano as their staff integrates into the host
unit’s community and drive to support it through organizations such as the
local Air Force Sergeant’s Association chapter, where two of their members sit
on the executive council. An additional three instructors offer their skills as
Motorcycle Rider Course instructors for the Wing Safety Office while others are
involved in youth programs as sports team coaches. Other instructors work to organize and
coordinate for major social and fundraising events such as Aviano’s Primavera
Bazaar, where local and visiting merchants are brought on base for Airmen and
their families to shop and explore a taste of European culture.