Heavy Training - military training at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma

Airman, March, 2001 by Jim Greeley

The decision to retire the C-141, once the Air Force's core airlift aircraft, was based on recommendations from the 1994 Scientific Advisory Board. The secretary of the Air Force convened the board in response to Congressional direction to examine service life extensions of the C-141 fleet.

As a result, the Air Force began drawing down the active fleet and transfering the training pipeline to an Air Force Reserve Command unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

"It's a strange thing to have to do," Cioffi said, "but I'm proud of the way the people in the squadron have handled it. Our heads will be high even as we put the lock on the door."

You can bet they'll take their nameplates with them.

Pity the tool

When airmen at Altus call on the A-TEAM they aren't referring to the 80's action heroes of primetime television. They're requesting aircraft maintenance and support from a group of civilian experts.

Altus Team Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance was the largest privatization and outsourcing venture in the Air Force when it started in 1996. The project converted 1,444 C-5, C-141 and KC-135 military maintenance positions to 790 civil service jobs.

Despite cutting their workforce in half, the experience level increased significantly. The director of maintenance and his deputy share more than 60 years of maintenance experience. There are 15 retired chief master sergeants, and an impressive 92 percent of the civilians have served in the military. The average A-TEAM maintainer has 15 years of experience while the active duty average is just under nine years.

Although they had the knowledge, many of these gurus hadn't turned a wrench in several years. As active duty airmen, superintendent positions kept them away from the toolbox. The unit went through an uncomfortable year-long retraining transition, but the A-TEAM has earned respect through efficiency and productivity. And for good reason. Not only has the transition saved the Air Force more than $22 million annually -- mostly in personnel costs -- but their dedication became evident when a dozen A-TEAM civilians voluntarily deployed to support Operation Allied Force from Royal Air Force Mildenhall. And the enthusiasm doesn't stop in the back shop.

"If the Air Force gave me a chance to put my uniform back on to go to Bosnia for a year, I'd jump at it," said retired Col. Michael Bradley, director of maintenance.

Bradley's led the team since the initial conversion and is eager to share the unit's accomplishments. From the 1998 Air Education and Training Command Maintenance Effectiveness Award, to a handful of 2000 Rodeo awards, the A-TEAM has proven itself. Even though the team doesn't have the mohawked, gold-laden Mr. T. on their side, they may just be the "action heroes" of Air Force maintenance.

1st Lt. Carie A. Seydel