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From the Frontlines Tech. Sgt. Roberto Ramirez Jr

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Aircraft schedulers are like 'coaches' who decide the lineup for the 'big game'. Instead of players, they draw up a list of aircraft best suited to fly, fight and win! These coaches ensure all maintenance requirements needed to make the aircraft operational are met; if not, the schedulers pull the aircraft from the lineup and send in a replacement.

Without 'coaches' such as Tech Sgt. Roberto Ramirez Jr., NCO in charge of plans and scheduling, aircraft wouldn't meet their customary maintenance rotations.

Sergeant Ramirez was the aircraft maintenance scheduler for multiple aircraft while he was deployed to Joint Air Base Balad, Iraq, from January through June.

"My position gave me oversight of five different airframe schedules," Sergeant Ramirez said. "I worked with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, MC-12W, MQ-1 Predator, C-130 Hercules and HH-60G Pave Hawk."

Sergeant Ramirez said his responsibilities included assigning aircraft to the flying schedule in monthly, weekly and daily increments; and coordinating with the operations and maintenance groups on issues that may arise.

He scheduled 24 F-16C phase inspections, assigning recuperation of 9,600 flight hours, according to 1st Lt. Anthony V. Tuero, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Group, Maintenance Operations Flight Commander.

"Aside from scheduling, I also made sure there were enough aircraft to fly when needed," said Sergeant Ramirez. "It helped the flying mission run smoothly."

While helping the mission, Sergeant Ramirez worked with a diversity of Airmen from many bases across the U.S and overseas.

"Meeting and working with new people, and different units from across the Air Force and Air National Guard was the best," said Sergeant Ramirez.

Just like a coach, while supporting his team on an away game in the desert, Sergeant Ramirez had to make sacrifices such as missing out on his daughters and wife's activities and accomplishments.

"Even though it was difficult to say goodbye to my family, I was proud of being part of the Air Force mission," Sergeant Ramirez said.