Kunsan maintainers hold training day Published Feb. 2, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert and Senior Airman Dana Hill 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- With the skies over Kunsan unusually quiet, the 8th Maintenance Group took advantage of a slower paced day Jan. 23 and held a Maintenance Training Day. Maintenance Training Day is a day dedicated to hands-on aircraft maintenance training. The group held the training day to facilitate a comprehensive training program and to prevent loss of proficiency on core tasks due to the high opstempo and turnover rate of Airmen here at Kunsan. "A well trained aircraft maintenance unit is key to effective combat power," said Capt. Ryan Nash, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer. "Today, we can focus solely on initial, recurring and advanced training skills." According to Captain Nash, the day consisted of in-depth training on tasks that are essential to maintaining a healthy aircraft fleet. "That includes inspections, towing, and troubleshooting as well as general system knowledge," he said. "Each maintenance section focused on tasks unique to their specialty. The various training scenarios incorporate safety, sound maintenance practices and techniques; the maintainers like to call it "Maintenance 101." The pace of operations at the Wolf Pack prevent Kunsan's maintainers from closing the shop for training. The no-fly day was the perfect opportunity for the group concentrate on nothing but training. "Each maintenance group member will be able to focus on training that he or she would otherwise not be able to with the distractions and stresses of normal day-to-day operations ," said Chief Master Sgt. Micky Wall, 8th AMXS superintendent. "Successful combat capabilities require qualified and well trained aircraft maintenance technicians; without them, the wing will never reach its maximum combat capability." Every maintainer focused solely on initial, recurring and advanced training. The training gave technicians a chance to look at their proficiency, qualifications, and certification skills needed to perform their duties. "Effective maintainers keep aircraft in the fight," said Capt. Nash. "It is a rare and valuable opportunity to be able to focus only on training without the distractions of normal operations"