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NEWS | March 30, 2006

Going 70,000 hours mishap-free

By Senior Airman Christian Michael 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The 119th Fighter Wing Alert Detachment topped 70,000 Class A and B mishap-free hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon March 7, and more than 150,000 mishap-free hours cumulatively since 1973.

“Most F-16 units have lost aircraft at one point or another,” said Alert Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Marsh Kjelvik. “We’ve been safe for more than 30 years, and we’re very proud of that.”

The alert detachment is based out of the 119th FW in Fargo, N.D., and is one of the units responsible for air sovereignty in the U.S. While here, it still acts as a team with the home unit up north.

“Any one part of a team can start a chain of events that can cause potential mishaps,” said Colonel Kjelvik. “The fact that we have gone so long without any is a credit to the members of our unit.”

He also credited the 1st Fighter Wing’s hand in the success of their mission here through auxiliary support, such as security from 1st Security Forces Squadron, fuel from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants flight, non-destructive inspection from the 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron and many others that help his unit do its job.

The unit’s leadership aren’t the only members of the 119th that believe the teamwork of unit Airmen and outside organizations have contributed to its ability to continue its high quality operations.

“Reaching this milestone is an indication of the quality of the unit and its people,” said Maj. Craig Borgstrom, a detachment pilot. “The men and women of the 119th have a great work ethic -- coming to work to work hard and do things right.”

Major Borgstrom gave special credit to the maintenance members of the 119th.

“If anyone gets kudos for the 70,000 hours, it’s our maintainers,” he said. “We can’t have substandard maintenance with the importance of our mission, so if an aircraft is suddenly unable to maintain an alert posture, our guys are working their tail off to get it back up on status.”

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Plath, an alert shift supervisor, permanently changed station to the detachment with Major Borgstrom in fall of 2001. Both were on hand to witness the contingency operations during 9-11. To Sergeant Plath, it solidifies one reason the quality of his work means so much to him.

“When that alert horn goes off, I make sure my guys have what they need to do their job so the pilots can get off the ground,” he said. “That maintenance has to be done properly or the pilot won’t be able to accomplish his mission. He needs the best possible aircraft to engage the enemy effectively and come home safely.”

With his time and investment in the alert detachment, his priorities have exceeded even the mission when it comes to his work.

“When I work, the last thing in my mind is screwing up and getting in trouble with the military,” he said. “That’s because the pilot is no longer just ‘the pilot,’ it’s this guy you know with a family you know. It really makes you think when you’re doing maintenance because they have become your friends, and you want to see them come home safely.”

Sergeant Plath’s investment in his work is but one component of how he sees his entire squadron and the people within.

“I’ve never worked with a group of people who take more ownership in what they do,” he said. “Whether they’re new Airmen straight out of technical school or the colonel who’s retiring in three weeks, they are all dedicated to the mission at hand.

“It’s a family of people who wanted to be part of something big, and it’s something I’m happy to be a part of.”