QA inspectors ensure compliance, safety for B-1 maintenance

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hailey Staker
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspectors provide continuity throughout the maintenance squadrons by conducting evaluations that ensure Airmen are performing their tasks accurately, effectively and safely.

Within the QA office, approximately 14 inspectors dedicated to specific units, including the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 28th Munitions Squadron and 28th Maintenance Squadron, determine whether or not Airmen are performing proper maintenance to keep the 28th Bomb Wing mission going forward.

"We are the eyes and ears of the 28th MXG commander, because [the commander] can't be out there all the time," said Staff Sgt. Daniel DeHerrera, 28th MXG quality assurance inspector. "We have dedicated inspectors with certain specialties for the different squadrons within the group, and we provide training, [perform] inspections and ensure quality maintenance is being done."

DeHerrera recently became a QA inspector and specializes in B-1 bomber electrical components as well as aircraft maintenance. Inspectors also focus on flight and ground safety on the flightline, working with flight and ground safety offices during emergency situations, and sections of the munitions storage area that the maintenance group sometimes utilizes.

"We base all of our inspections off the Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program," DeHerrera said. "Our maintenance group commander as well as the squadron commanders provide input on what is required for monthly quality looks. That is where we go out and get with them about how many and what types of inspections are needed."

During MSEP briefings, the QA inspectors discuss inspections from the previous month covering growing trends and concerns, major findings and future training opportunities to ensure Airmen are equipped to perform tasks correctly.

"It is important to have QA because even though we have [supervisors], it is important to have that verification that quality maintenance and training is being done," DeHerrera said. "We go out to the squadrons, look into their programs, as well as training records, and make sure everybody is being signed off correctly and annotations are done properly [before] our next [unit inspection.]"  

Whether on the flightline, in the avionics back shop or munitions storage area, quality assurance inspectors ensure every Airmen is following their technical orders, performing maintenance correctly and offer training opportunities where appropriate, keeping the B-1 bomber, equipment and munitions combat ready at all times.