but one of the unsung heroes are those soldiers who strive to maintain the U.S. Army’s Black Hawks. The Black Hawk serves in a number of different capacities; from troop transport and aerial support, to surveillance and medical evacuation. These helicopters are an icon of Kosovo liberation, but like any great machine, mission demands and frequent ?ying eventually take its toll on the airframe. That is where the 638th steps up to the plate. Spc. Michael Stiller, an aircraft electrician from Jacksonville, Fla., said, “The older aircraft here require more work, but the facilities and the command are great.” The hard-working soldiers of Det. 2, Co. B, 638th ASB go in-depth with daily maintenance inspections to ensure the highest quality for the customers of KFOR 17 Task Force Aviation. Whether on base at Camp Bondsteel or abroad, Det. 2, Co. B, 638th ASB stands ready to accomplish their mission. Recently, the maintenance company dispatched a small team to recover a helicopter that was forced to make a precautionary landing in Prizren, Kosovo due to an engine warning light. U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Thompson, an aircraft engine mechanic, was one of the soldiers who went to recover the helicopter. “We hit the ground running; working at a good pace and getting everything done,” said Thompson, a native of Harmoney, Ind. “There was great team effort; everyone was motivated and ready to work.” Spc. Justin Sciscoe, from Martinsville, Ind. and another aircraft engine mechanic on the mission, commented, “There were a few challenges; we had no equipment at the site so we had to pack everything that we could possibly need before leaving base.” From the servicing ?uids to changing aircraft transmissions, the maintenance company stands prepared to take the necessary measures to get any broken aircraft up and operational again. Task Force Aviation has ?own over 450 ?ight hours since the start of the mission. Their continued success is no doubt the result of their commitment, ingenuity, and teamwork, but every great structure needs even greater support. For Task Force Aviation, the 638th ASB maintenance company is that backbone.
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