One Day at a Time: Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas

Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas – Technical Training

So, here we go again! The last week of basic came and went. My wife and parents came to San Antonio to watch me graduate basic training. Even though I still had to stay in my dress uniform the entire time, it was a welcome relief to get off base and into civilization after six weeks being confined to my small part of Lackland Air Force Base. We were able to check out San Antonio; down to the River Walk, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and The Alamo. The time came to say goodbye once again, and I boarded a bus for a six or so hour ride up to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas on the Texas/Oklahoma border. I don’t remember much about the ride up besides being able to finally relax. I do remember a movie playing on the bus, Full Metal Jacket, how ironic!

So, as I get into how I chose my job that has spanned these 22 years in the Air Force, we rolled into Sheppard AFB on a warm August Saturday afternoon. I initially joined the Air Force by entering in as an “Open Mechanical” enlistee. I would recommend anyone coming into the military to join with a guaranteed job depending on ASVAB scores. My scores were average at best as I didn’t study for this test. When I was a junior in high school, we were led to a room with a few military recruiters who administered the ASVAB to us all. Now, you can retake this test to better your chances for desirable positions within the military. I didn’t do this! I joined the Air Force because my father served in the 70s and because the Air Force recruiter was the first to call. Back to how I picked my job – plain and simple, in basic training, they gave me a list of positions I could sign on with. Once again, I don’t recommend this, but my first though? How long is the additional training? As I’m looking through this list, here’s my top three…..Entomology, better known as Pest Management – 4 week course, Fuels – 6 week course, F-16 Crew Chief, 12 week course. I was picked up as a Fuels Apprentice and though it worked out for the best, it certainly wasn’t the best way to look at getting a job! But here I was, a 19-year-old young man, fresh on his own, looking for a job that would last the next 4 years and then I’d be off to some other adventure once separating from the Air Force afterwards. Here I am, 22 years later and I must say, I love my career choice; the places I’ve been, the things I’ve done, the people I have worked with and for and those I’ve had the honor mentoring – I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Let me tell you the book answer about what my job truly entails.

Air Force Enlisted Job – Fuels – 2F0X1

Even with all of our advanced technology, our aircraft simply cannot operate without fuel. It is the job of Fuels specialists to manage every aspect of the refueling of every aircraft on the flight line. More than handling jet fuel, these professionals are also responsible for operating the vehicles, equipment and storage facilities that are essential to the refueling operation while also ensuring the compliance of all safety regulations while handling these volatile liquids.

Specialty Summary: Maintains and operates fuels and cryogenic facilities and equipment. Receives, stores, and issues petroleum, cryogenics, and alternative fuel products. Performs quality analysis on petroleum and cryogenics products. Performs preventative and operator maintenance on fuel dispensing vehicles and handling equipment, fuel dispensing systems, and conducts operator inspection and maintenance on facilities. Prepares receipt, inventory, and issue documents to support fuel and cryogenic product accountability. Operates specialized fuels vehicles and support equipment.

Read more about it here:

http://www.foreverwingman.com/2f0x1/

As I progressed through the course as a future fuels specialist, I was notified of my first basing assignment. Mine, along with a handful of others from my class were given the news that we would be heading to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Before I get into where this journey would take me on my first assignment, let me give you a very brief history of Sheppard AFB.

Named in honor of Senator Morris Sheppard, former chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, Sheppard Air Force Base was activated Oct. 17, 1941, and provided aircrew and aircraft mechanics training during World War II. Today, Sheppard is the largest and most diverse training base in Air Education and Training Command–the only Air Force base that is home to both technical and flight training. The Fuels training course was previously at Chanute Air Force base in Illinois until 1992.