Det. 17: providing superior maintenance training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Jet engines, F-16 cock pit simulators and A-10 gun systems are just a few of the training tools that await Airmen who attend the field training detachment here as part of their upgrade training.

The 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 17 is a tenant unit here, assigned to the Air Education Training Command, provides specialized training to Saber aircraft maintainers.

"We are responsible for providing the 52nd Maintenance Group quality maintenance training on the wing's F-16 and A-10 airframes, aerospace ground equipment and armament systems," said Capt. Brian Scozzaro, Det. 17 commander. "We teach a 65 course curriculum and many of the classes carry Community College of the Air Force credits, so our students often leave our detachment one step closer to their CCAF degree."

The detachment's 16 instructors teach approximately 500 classes a year, providing more than 14,000 hours of instruction on a variety of aircraft related systems designed to simulate a wide range of potential problems the Airmen may experience on the job.

"Our systems allow us to provide realistic training without having to take down a mission ready aircraft on the flightline," Captain Scozzaro said. "This allows us to provide a real world trouble shooting experience in a classroom environment. This allows for an environment which is very conducive to the learning process."

The training in nine different air force specialties provided at the detachment helps keep newer Airmen on track well offering specialized expertise that help Airmen complete their 5 and 7-level upgrade training requirements.

Staff Sgt. Steve Zarecki, 372nd TRS instructor, who has been a teacher at the school for eight months, he said he found the student's thirst for knowledge was greater than he anticipated.

"There is a steep learning curve here," he said. "The students are on a quest for knowledge, so our noses are always in the books looking up answers for them."

The questions asked range from pilot's perspectives to new system upgrades.

"The students have a lot of questions their career development courses did not answer," Sergeant Zarecki said. "Some students come in confused by parts of their CDCs and we are here to help them. When we see their face light up with understanding -- that is what it is all about. This school is where the pieces come together for them."

Airman 1st Class John Cardini, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, is a student in the F-16 Fire Attack Control Avionics class.

"It is like a technical school refresher class, but gives you a better idea of what you are doing and where to look in the system for problems," he said. "Working on the trainer gives you a hands on feel of what you are learning in the classroom and a better understanding of what you are doing and why you are doing it."

Providing their students with this understanding is what drives the members of the Det. 17, according to Captain Scozzaro.

"Our instructors know that our students, especially our younger ones, are the future of our Air Force," he said. "The more they learn, the more they can do, and the more they can do will allow them to more efficiently and efficiently execute the contingency requirements that they are called upon on to support in the future."