Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, August 2021

6 August 2021 News http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt News Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 7
August 2021
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
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Luke Precision Measurement Equipment 944 FSS top MPF in AFRC

Lab employs small staff with big impact 944th FighTeR Wing

Public Affairs
Col. (Ret.) Jim Greenwald, former 944th Fighter Wing
by Senior Airman commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Catherine Buchanan,
PhYLLiS Jimenez 944th FW command chief, presented the Headquarters Air
Force Reserve Command A1 Gerritt D. Foster, Jr. Award to
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
the 944th Force Support Squadron, during Greenwald’s final
From measuring the length of tracks for Commander’s Call May 2 at Luke Air Force Base. The Military
fitness tests to calibrating systems on the Personnel Flight was recognized as the 2020 Outstanding
Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighter MPF of the Year.
aircraft, the Precision Measurement Equip- The award recognizes the accomplishments of the MPF,
ment Lab delivers precise calibration of the which uniquely contributes to the well-being of Airmen, from
equipment used in virtually every phase of day-to-day requirements to readiness operations within the
maintenance. force support community.
“The Luke PMEL services 107 work “Last year was tough,” said Master Sgt. Tina Simmons, 944th
centers for the Air Force, its sister services FSS MPF superintendent. “COVID-19 restrictions brought
and foreign allies,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew new challenges — including virtual work requirements and
Swanson, 56th Component Maintenance reduced manpower — but we pulled together to take care
Squadron PMEL technician. “It is also one of our Airman and their families and completed the mission
of the only PMELs that services the F-35 without skipping a beat.”
Lightning II.” According to Greenwald, the MPF is an example of the
PMEL specialists calibrate weapon 360-degree service provided by the 944th FSS.
guidance systems, force gauges, pressure “The amazing personnel in our Force Support Squadron
gauges, torque wrenches and any assets provide an incredible service to this wing,” said Greenwald.
that take a quantitative measurement. “We see some of what they do for us, but so much of it is done
“We calibrate and repair a wide variety Airman 1st Class Jasmin Torres, 56th Component Maintenance Squad- behind the scenes. This unit could not complete its mission
of equipment depending on what section we ron Precision Measurement Equipment Lab technician, calibrates a tire without the tireless work provided by the FSS team.”
are working, such as electronic, mechanical inflator kit July 1, at Luke Air Force Base. Maintainers use tire inflator This is not the first time the 944th FSS received this recog-
or physical dimensional,” said Airman 1st kits to service tires on government vehicles as well as aircraft tires. nition. The squadron also accepted the award for top MPF in Tech. Sgt. Courtney Richardson
Class Nicholas Bruce, 56th CMS PMEL PMEL technicians ensure accurately calibrated equipment to support the Air Force Reserve in 2007. 944th Fighter Wing senior leadership poses for a photo with 944th Force Support Squadron senior leader-
technician. “The equipment we work on the needs of the Air Force, sister services and allied forces. “We are dedicated to taking care of all Airmen of the 944th ship, after the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command A1 Gerritt D. Foster, Jr. Award was presented to
varies from very simple to very complex.” Fighter Wing,” concluded Simmons. “We will keep pursuing im- the FSS during a commander’s call held May 2 at Luke Air Force Base. The Military Personnel Flight was
According to Swanson, PMEL is a small proved processes and customer service in support of the wing.” recognized as the 2020 Outstanding MPF of the Year.
career field with low exposure to the base Photos by Senior Airman Phyllis Jimenez
population, but has a sweeping impact. Staff Sgt. Vicente Jimenez, 56th
“People start to understand PMEL when Component Maintenance Squadron
something isn’t calibrated correctly (and Precision Measurement Equipment
they need us),” said Swanson. “Improperly Lab technician, calibrates a spectrum
calibrated equipment can lead to anything analyzer July 1, at Luke Air Force
from someone failing a PT test (because Base. The spectrum analyzer is used
they are running too long) to a catastrophic to measure the power of a signal’s
event like a plane crashing.” various frequency components.
The Air Force uses a large array of equip-
ment in its day-to-day operations that
require precise calibration. PMEL ensures LEFT: Staff Sgt. Dantes Johnson,
accurate, safe and reliable equipment to 56th Component Maintenance
support the needs of the U.S. military and Squadron Precision Measurement
its allied forces. Equipment Lab technician, calibrates
“PMEL is an all-encompassing career a frequency counter July 1, at Luke
field with technical experts,” said Swanson. Air Force Base. Frequency counters
“We support every Air Force mission and get measure the number of cycles of
to work with some of the smartest enlisted oscillation, or pulses per second in a
that the Air Force has to offer.” periodic electronic signal.

ReADiNG (from Page 5) Reserve Citizen Airman Maj.
Katherine Paolillo, 944th
over and over again without actually reading it over and Fighter Wing inspector
over again. Parents get it.” general, prepares to read
Not only is this beneficial to the recipients but to caregiv- a book to her child using
ers as well. the United Through Read-
“The parent left behind can benefit from getting a mental ing app at the 56th Fighter
break for a minute or helping that child through a hard Wing Base Library on Luke
moment where they are sad about the parent who isn’t Air Force Base, June 17.
there,” Crowell said. The 944th Fighter Wing
The site located in the base library is the only brick and Airman and Family Readi-
mortar location in the state of Arizona, but that isn’t the ness Center and the base
only way to use the program. Service members can also library teamed up to provide
download the United Through Reading app. Once the app anyone with access to the
confirms your affiliation through the “ID.me” verification base a place to stop by and
program, they will have access to record a book from any- read a book to a loved one.
where, whenever they feel like it. The non-profit program will
“You can do as many videos as you want,” said Maldonado. send the recording to an
“You can be sitting at your desk, deployed, on your lunch email address designated 6.5” AD SPACE
break, or just sitting in your car. You will still be sent the by the member and also
link and have access to request the book be sent to the recipi- provide the book to the mili-
ent. From there you can send the link whenever you want.” tary family for free.
Courtesy photo