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Dover Air Force Base, Del. --

As this year’s winter season approaches, the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron is working around the clock to ensure Team Dover’s fleet of snow vehicles are ready to keep the flight line and roads clear of ice and snow during the winter months. At Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, the cold winter weather lasts only part of the year, but recovering and preparing for inclement weather is a year-round mission.

These vehicles are key to preventing airlift mission stoppage during and after winter storms. Ensuring the flight line and mission-capable aircraft are clear of snow and ice reduces the risk of unsafe aircraft launches and touchdowns.

In anticipation for the winter season, the 436th LRS Vehicle Maintenance shop performs a summer rebuild of more than 180 vehicles. This winterization of vehicles include mission-essential maintenance to 10 runway snow removal vehicles, 19 aircraft deicers and 13 support vehicles.

“Honestly, we’re always busy, but when the summer rebuild starts we just get busier.” said Staff Sgt. Dustin Downen, 436th LRS base maintenance shop supervisor.

The summer rebuild has three phases. In the first phase each vehicle undergoes an extensive, multipoint inspection to determine what repairs are needed. Thorough inspection of just a single vehicle can take one or two workdays.

The second and longest phase is the problem-solving phase. Routine annual maintenance consists of replacement of filters, fluids, lubricants, hoses and window wiper blades. Vehicle maintenance is not just physical work.

A large portion of the vehicle fleet are highly specialized vehicles and sourcing certain parts can stretch from days to weeks.

“Sourcing parts is one of the biggest challenges we face,” said Downen. “It might be weeks before we get a quote back from a vendor.”

Scheduling maintenance times to align with part arrival times is just one way the staff uses their problem-solving skills to maximize productivity. The staff uses time management and meticulous planning to ensure a smooth workflow.

“We rely on strong communication and coordination with other units like the civil engineer and aircraft maintenance squadrons,” said Downen. “Since they’re the ones who actually operate the vehicles, they usually have good insight on what problems the vehicles have.”

The staff know that even a single snow-removal vehicle or deicer can have a negative effect on mission accomplishment at Dover AFB. Every problem identified in the spring must be corrected before each vehicle is deemed ready for winter.

“These vehicles are completely checked out before they go out,” said Bill Nagle, 436th LRS heavy equipment diesel mechanic. “If anything is going to break down, you want it to happen here in the yard and not out there behind a plane. It’s pretty simple, if these vehicles don’t run, the planes don’t fly.”

The 436th Airlift Wing command team took the first steps in implementing a leadership shadow program on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Sept. 27, 2023. The program held its first trial run and would allow Junior Enlisted Airmen to follow their senior leaders for a day, with the goal of giving them an in-depth look into the responsibilities of leadership on Dover AFB.

“Sometimes when our Airmen get into the monotony of the job, it's tough for them to remember how important their contribution is to the mission,” explained Chief Master Sgt. Carolyn Russell, 436th AW command chief. “Hopefully this [program will] give [Airmen] a broader perspective on what we do here at Dover AFB and how their particular job fits into the mission.”

The program was an idea Russell came up with after speaking to Senior Airman Klay Osler, 436th Maintenance Squadron, C-5M Super Galaxy crew chief, during Team Dover’s Air Force Ball 2023.

Osler was selected as the first Airman to take part in this program. Osler shadowed Russell throughout her daily tasks and responsibilities as Team Dover’s command chief.

I wanted to learn a little bit more about what happens at the level of our senior leaders, said Osler.

Osler's day began with a conversation with Russell discussing his job as a C-5 crew chief and his impact on the mission. Osler then attended a civic leaders meeting with Russell. rs are advocates for Dover AFB and have a large influence in the Dover community. During the meeting, the command team and civic leaders discussed what events they can take part in to aid in community engagement.

I found the civic leaders meeting interesting because I never realized how in depth the planning would be for community engagement, said Osler.

Osler then shadowed the Top Three Meeting. During these meetings, Russell discusses the commander's intent and the roles each shop plays in supporting the mission. The meeting also prepares leaders for any upcoming changes that will impact their squadrons.

“I wanted to get an idea of the bigger picture of what's above our mission and see what everyone else does on base,” said Osler.

The leadership shadow program is currently in its initial stage and may go through several iterations before officially being established.

“This was a chance happening so we’ll have to work out a way to keep it routine and at a good battle rhythm, but this was a wonderful opportunity for myself as the command chief and [Osler] to gain insight into each other's world,” said Russell.

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --

Whether you are struggling with nutrition, hope to strengthen social connections, or just want to know what resources are available to you and your family, the Wellness Wheel is here for you! This interactive resource is available to Airmen and families on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and went live as of June 15, 2023.

“The Wellness Wheel is a promotional tool that helps Airmen assess all aspects of their whole person wellness, highlighting both their strengths and challenges,” said Mrs. Shawn VanVessen, Dover AFB community support coordinator.

The virtual wheel includes resources and local helping agencies that strengthen different aspects of health including physical, social, financial, spiritual, personal growth, environment, and mental wellness.

“Centrally locating all of the resources makes it more convenient for Airmen and families to access what they need, when they need it,” said Kelly Dixon, 436th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron health promotions coordinator. “It takes the guesswork out of hunting down who/where to go for help when issues arise and can also serve as a tool to help others when they may be experiencing stress.”

Compiling these resources in the same area can also be used as a promotional tool for underutilized services.

“We have a great deal of resources and support available to Airmen and their families [but] sometimes people are unaware of the service,” said VanVessen. “We view the Wellness Wheel as a viable option for getting this information out to people.”

The wheel is intended to be used as a rating system, allowing users to properly gauge their performance in each area of health.

“Using the pop-up questions as prompts, [users] can also take it upon themselves to rate how they are doing in each area to assess which ones would be most beneficial for them to address,” said Dixon. “The wheel is really cool because improvements in one area can lead to positive changes in all of the other areas as well. For example, improving your environment can lead to being more physically healthy (better sleep, exercise, nutrition), whereas improving your spiritual health can elevate your social connections… and so on.”

This ‘ripple effect’ is crucial to ensuring our Airmen are prepared to meet mission requirements.

“When Airmen are taken care of, there is an increased sense of wellbeing that permeates our community,” said VanVessen. “A healthier community equals an increased ability to fulfill the mission.”

Taking care of Airmen is one of the 436th Airlift Wing priorities and something the 436th AW command team puts an emphasis on.

“The mission does not happen without our Airmen and their families,” said Col. Russell Gohn, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander. “Taking care of them will always be our priority. Supporting that effort, the Wellness Wheel removes barriers and provides all the information necessary to connect with resources across the multiple pillars of health.”

The Wellness Wheel can be accessed at https://www.doverfss.com/dafb-wellness-wheel.

Photo By Roland Balik | Senior Airman Joel Dooley, 436th Aerial Port Squadron expediter, marshals a Mobile... read more

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. – Teamwork between the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force facilitated the shipment of Forward Operating Base equipment and a Mobile Remote Quick Look trailer to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of MQ-4C Triton Orbit 1 operations, Feb. 1, 2023.

The MQ-4C is an unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the U.S. Navy for maritime patrol supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Additionally, the RQL trailer is a self-contained secure facility that will store ISR data and make it available to the intelligence community.

A Mobile RQL trailer and palletized FOB equipment arrived at Dover AFB, Delaware, Jan. 30, to be inspected and weighed during a joint inspection conducted by 436th Aerial Port Squadron special handling personnel and members assigned to the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262) Triton, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

"This lift is in direct support to the standup of U.S. Navy Triton capability in Guam in support of the 7th Fleet,” said RAAF Squadron Leader Stephen Grimmer, PMA-262 ground segment execution lead. "Triton is a cooperative program between the U.S. Navy and RAAF. This is a significant milestone for the Triton program as we stand up the capability.”

The trailer and pallets were loaded on a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing and flown by an aircrew from the 3rd Airlift Squadron.

“The coordination between representatives from Dayton T. Brown Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Naval Air Systems Command, RAAF and the 436th APS regarding airlift requirements started about a month prior to execution,” said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Romeyn, 436th APS capability forecaster. “Coordination efforts from the Aerial Port included scheduling truck delivery appointments for cargo, cargo build-up requirements, a joint inspection, base access and customer service with the shipper.”

Upon becoming fully operational in the Pacific theater of operations, the RQL trailer will be operated by the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19, aided by field service representatives which support the 7th Fleet.

Later this year, Grimmer and his team will oversee the standup and installation of Triton ground segments at RAAF Edinburgh, Adelaide, South Australia.

"We have worked closely together with our partners from the RAAF over the last several years to deliver the MQ-4C Triton aircraft to Australia,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Josh Guerre, PMA-262 program manager. The MQ-4C Triton will significantly improve Australian and U.S. capabilities in the region, enhancing our joint ability to respond to regional challenges—including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --

This summer, children between the ages of 9-15 were given the unique opportunity to explore the world of aviation during the 2023 Air Mobility Command Museum Aviation Summer Camp at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The camp focuses on teaching Air Force history and demonstrating how Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mechanics concepts impact aviation.

“[Participants] will learn the history of aviation, fly in a Cessna 172 [Skyhawk], build model airplanes and explore Dover Air Force Base,” said Michael Hurlburt, AMC Museum operations manager.

The AMC Aviation Summer Camp is celebrating its 20th season and will run for six weeks during the summer. Each week-long course includes hands-on activities and workshops led by experienced educators and volunteers that focus on STEAM concepts.

“[For example,] on the last day, the kids are going to build model rockets and learn about them from a scientist physically working on the Artemis project, a NASA project trying to put people on Mars,” said Hurlbert. “They’re going to launch and learn about rockets from an actual rocket scientist!”

In addition to STEAM aviation concepts, the camp teaches Air Force history, starting back when it was the Army Air Corps. Campers learn about the evolution of air power through engaging lessons and interactions with veterans and active duty Airmen from Dover AFB.

Elijah Smith, an 11 year-old camp participant, has attended the AMC Aviation Summer Camp three times as of this year. “I like seeing the planes that have been to all the places told about in stories,” explains Smith. “The planes are really interesting, although some of them would look a lot better [painted] green.”

This year, the camp sold out all 144 slots in a record 44 days from the start of open enrollment. Twenty-four of those spots were funded by the Dover AFB Rated Diversity Improvement program, which empowers diverse individuals to achieve their full potential as future Airmen.

“The RDI program provided learning opportunities to a few children that would have not had the chance otherwise,” said Tech. Sgt. Charles Crespo, Dover AFB RDI manager. “Sponsoring these young students gives them the chance to learn about different aviation careers available.”

This camp not only provides opportunities for children to learn, it also has the potential to ignite lifelong passions.

“The AMC Museum Aviation Summer Camp promotes critical thinking and learning, while having fun,” said John Taylor, AMC Museum director. “It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers and maybe even future Airmen.”