Honor-worthy tasks

An F-15 field service rep talks about his duties

Tim Monoc, a member of Integrated Defense Systems' Support Systems unit, is an F-15 field service representative for Airframe Systems at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Monoc explained to Boeing Frontiers his responsibilities as a liaison between Boeing and the U.S. Air Force customer.

Q: What support do you provide the customer?

A: Our team performs a variety of duties that include providing technical maintenance instruction and advice to Air Force personnel in the maintenance and operation of F-15A-through-E aircraft and avionics integrated systems. Our job also is to elevate the technical skills and abilities of Air Force military and civilian personnel. We provide formal classroom instruction and on-the-job training on equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and inspection procedures. We also train personnel on the best and safest methods for installations and modifications to the aircraft. In addition, we help develop training plans and provide information for parts acquisition requests.

Q: What's it like working on an Air Force site?

A: I work on a daily basis with the customer's programmed depot maintenance technicians, management and the F-15 Systems Program Office engineering group. Basically, depot personnel will come to me for assistance when they encounter problems, have questions about how a certain system works or how a particular component should be installed, or have exhausted their immediate resources.

Q: Why is it so important for Boeing to remain close to the customer?

A: Our customer's confidence in the performance and quality of our products is crucial, so the relationship between the manufacturer and operator is vitally important.

Q: What challenges do you face?

A: One of the most challenging aspects of my job is we're working on airframes that are up to 30 years old. The environment they're exposed to varies, so one aircraft to the next can be very different. All F-15 models cycle through the depot center. During the programmed depot maintenance process, an aircraft is stripped down to its basic airframe. Everything—from wings to avionics to vertical stabilizers—is removed for inspection. Jets that operate in coastal environments tend to have more corrosion damage, and jets that have been used extensively during the war on terror have parts that are wearing out faster than normal.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

A: It's clear, in the times we are living in, once these jets leave the depot they most likely will be called upon to perform to their maximum potential. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing the support I have provided has added to the success of the programmed depot maintenance process and to the success of our U.S. Air Force customer. It's both a pleasure and an honor to be a part of a stellar Boeing team that supports the best warfighter aircraft in the world.

—Katherine Sopranos