Osan Cross Servicing Program fosters good relations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea --  The first combat cross servicing program evaluation of the year took place here Aug. 10 when two Korean F-5's landed on the flightline.

The Osan Combat Cross Servicing Program is a mutual agreement between the U.S. and Republic of Korea that allows the maintainers from both services to get hands-on experience working on each other's aircraft.

According to Master Sgt. Dale Deskins, 7th Air Force Combat Cross Servicing superintendent, the agreement allows ROKAF aircraft to land at U.S. Air Force bases in Korea and receive maintenance from Airmen, and allow U.S. planes to land at ROKAF bases and receive maintenance from ROKAF maintainers, thus increasing both services' war fighting capability.

Sergeant Deskins said this program allows either plane to land at any base during a war time environment, get serviced and get back in the fight faster.

"The intent of the program is to increase joint combat capability," said Master Sgt. Paul Marquez, transient alert section chief. "This program gives maintainers a broader feel and a wider range of knowledge and a better appreciation for the joint mission by allowing them to work with Republic of Korea air force maintainers first hand."

U.S. transient alert personnel, to include weapons loaders and crew chiefs, who are the participants in the program are given training on the foreign aircraft at ROKAF bases prior to working on them, but say the hands-on experience is the best teacher.

Senior Airman Brandon Savage, 51st Maintenance Operations Squadron, said this was his first time working on the jet and though he'd received some training, it was different doing it for the first time and actually having hands on.

"This is a great program. We can get with the Koreans and learn their culture as well as teach them ours," he said. "It's nice to work with them though, because if we need help or if they ever need emergency help we already know them and have a good working relationship with them and their aircraft."

- However, for other participants in the program, such as Staff Sgt. Trenton Schreyer, a transient alert crew chief, the best part about the participating in the program is simply the challenge.

"I launch, recover, inspect and service the incoming ROKAF aircraft, and what I like the most about CSP is that it keeps us fresh," he said. "If you're only trained once but never see the aircraft you're going to be familiar with it, this helps keeps us competent."

Sergeant Schreyer also enjoys the uniqueness of the job.

"This job is a lot more of a challenge," he said. "This aircraft is different than any others we work with and working with the ROKAF is enjoyable. I find we actually have a lot in common. Some things they do differently, but the majority of what we all do is the same."

Sergeant Schreyer has been involved with CSP for more than two years and said he volunteered to do it again because he truly likes working with the Koreans.

"I have met a lot of good people and a lot of friends and I'm having a good time," he said.

For now, the CSP exchange takes place on average five to eight times a month, culminating in an annual inspection.

Sergeant Marquez said the program will be expanding in the near future to include the ROKAF's new aircraft, the F-15K, which is the country's premier fighter jet.