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Women's History Month spotlight: Master Sgt Katherine Wheelock

  • Published
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Master Sgt. Katherine Wheelock is the engine manager for the 403rd Maintenance Group here.

She ensures serviceability, maintainability, reliability, and accurate configuration management of critical aircraft hardware and components on 20 C-130-J aircraft. She uses expert level knowledge and experience to individually track 90 technically advanced AE2100D3 Rolls-Royce engines that consist of more than 1,500 replaceable and serviceable parts.

On a daily basis, she must interface with corporate representatives of aircraft manufacturers, system component repair facilities, and technical engineers to achieve problem resolution and product improvement. She also determines life cycle management maintenance requirements from analysis of life limiting parts, Time Change Technical Orders, and aircraft configuration requirements.

Wheelock entered the Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist. When she joined the Air Force Reserve, she re-trained into Information Management.

She has an Associates Degrees in Information Resources Management and Aircraft Maintenance Technology from the Community College of the Air Force.

She has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one device, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with five devices, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon for Long Tour, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' Device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.