372nd TRS, Det 1: We Train, You Maintain!

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kenneth Shinn
  • 372nd Training Squadron

Unit:                      Detachment 1, 372nd Training Squadron

Location:             Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC

Mission:              Make Great maintainers and Communicators even better

Vision:                  Provide Field Training and Training Support That Makes a Lasting Difference

Motto:                  “We Train, You Maintain!”

Staff:                     29 Active Duty, five contractors and one civilian

What We Do:

“Our program entails two separate missions,” said detachment Chief Master Sgt. Daniel J. Hopkins. “First we support our host, the 4th Maintenance Group, by providing them with upgrade training.  We have 18 instructors across nine AFSCs who instructed 432 students in fiscal year 2015.  Our second mission boasts the sole location for hands-on technical training for all F-15 pipeline crew chiefs.  In fiscal year 2015, we had nine Active Duty instructors and five civilian instructors teaching a combined 188 American and Royal Saudi Air Force students.  This dynamic relationship grooms and strengthens international relations, as well as prepares our Airman for the operational Air Force in a joint environment.”

Accomplishments:

“Throughout our training, we have led the way in innovation and process improvement,” said detachment Chief Master Sgt. Hopkins.  “We were the first 372 TRS Detachment to acquire iPads, replacing the Toughbook laptops for our Technical Orders.  Our positive experience with this new technology has paved the way for other organizations Air Force wide, to follow our lead.  Furthermore, our weapons instructors recognized the negative impact of potentially grounding an operational aircraft during classes, as well as affecting our ability to properly train students.  This led to the acquisition of an F-15E model gun system which was able to be installed on a trainer aircraft.  Their actions resulted in repurposing $120,000 of unserviceable parts and will continue to save over 144 man hours annually.  Finally, crew chief and electrical systems personnel assisted the 4th Training Squadron following a series of landing gear failures.  They collaboratively built a slide/video presentation of the F-15 landing gear system to be viewed in training by all F-15E pilots. 

“We may be part of the ‘4th but First’ team here at Seymour Johnson, but our Family is the 372d Training Squadron at Sheppard AFB.  Look for more outstanding things to come from the Spartans of Detachment 1!”