By Senior Airman Demond McGhee, 18th Wing Public Affairs / Published July 08, 2021
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Hovhannes Balian, 18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center senior board controller, discusses operation planning at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. The 18th MOC directly supports Kadena's assigned aircraft including the Navy, Marine Corps and transient aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center Airmen conduct morning operations at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. Without the MOC, maintenance units would be hindered or delayed in getting support and supporting agencies would be overwhelmed by requests coming through multiple channels at once. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shekeia Willis, 18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center board controller, performs operations during the morning shift at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. The MOC supports 24/7 taskings for KC-135 alert and aero-evacuation missions for the Pacific Air Force area of responsibility.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center Airmen conduct morning operations at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. The MOC serves as the central focal point to disseminate resources and taskings to Kadena's Aircraft Maintenance Units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kellsie Smith, 18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center board controller, accesses files on her computer at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. The MOC serves as an alternate duty that Airmen can volunteer for as well as be selected. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Kent, 18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center board controller, performs changeover for his shift at Kadena Air Base Japan, June 14, 2021. The MOC provides commanders 24/7 notification capabilities, allowing them to make quick decisions during emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Perry Otillio, 18th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations Center section chief, discusses operation plans at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 14, 2021. The MOC provides commanders an overview of Kadena’s aircraft status, including mission capability condition and aircraft type. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demond Mcghee)
Operating and maintaining aircraft is hard work, and when the going gets tough the 18th Maintenance Operations Center is ready to answer the call.
With 26 Airmen working around-the-clock, the MOC serves as the liaison for all of Kadena’s aircraft maintenance units by responding whenever there is a need for supplies or mission updates.
Calls for assistance can include jet refuels, tow requests, engine runs and being connected with fellow maintenance organizations for cooperative operations.
The MOC also responds to situations that may involve direct danger to personnel on the flight line or conditions that can deter mission capabilities, such as performing a recall when there is lightning within five miles of the base.
“The 18th Maintenance Group is PACAF’s busiest MOC,” said Tech. Sgt. Cristian Jaramillo, 18th Maintenance Group MOC assistant section chief. “We directly support the KC-135, HH-60, F-15, and E-3 aircraft assigned and also provide support to all Navy, Marine Corps and transient aircraft that arrive in Kadena.”
The support provided for aircraft can range from tracking flights and their crews to overseeing typhoon sheltering for U.S. and allied nation aircraft.
Airmen from each AMU can volunteer or get selected to help the operations center have a variety of different job backgrounds and mindsets. The accepted individuals are then brought in for at least a two-year rotation before returning to their original duties.
“Whenever a problem comes up that involves a certain shop we can make a better judgment call on what we need because we have information from our personnel,” said Staff Sgt. Keith Weitz, 18th MXG MOC senior board controller. “It also helps people create a wider network once they leave the MOC, so we have those contacts and friendships when we’re busy with maintenance.”
As missions are performed and data is gathered, the MOC consolidates all information they have regarding operations into slides to share with the maintenance group commander. These slides tell the commander how the AMUs are performing to then pass on to further leaders who may need the information.
During emergencies, the MOC provides commanders with 24/7 notification capabilities and allows them to make quick decisions as a situation develops, and ensures all assets are protected.
“Without the MOC, units would be severely hindered or delayed in getting support,” Jaramillo said. “We make it easy for local leadership to pinpoint issues to address in order to maximize aircraft availability and flexibility for any situation that may occur.”