DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Citizen Airmen maintainers recently endured freezing cold temperatures as they maintained C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Between Jan. 20 and 25, temperatures plunged to a low of five degrees Fahrenheit and never rose high-er than 36 degrees Fahrenheit. For comparison, in 2024 during the same time frame, the temperature never dropped below 17 degrees and climbed to a high of 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
Senior Airman Miles Reid, a 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft hydraulic journeyman on the C-17, said wearing cold weather gear adds a level of difficulty to performing his mission.
“In a job like this, you are constantly using your hands,” he said.
“It’s harder to do things with gloves on, because you lose a lot of dexterity.”
Reid said he must also be cognizant of the effects the weather has on the systems he maintains.
“The cold causes things to compress; and, in hydraulic systems, that can mess with the seals on the system,” he said. “A bad seal could cause a serious issue if I miss it.”
Staff Sgt. Luis Alvarez, a 712th AMXS aerospace propulsion specialist on the C-17, said proper preparation is key to surviving the cold temperatures.
“We install engine covers and exhaust covers to prevent certain parts of the engine from freezing or seizing up,” he said. “This also prevents high winds from blowing debris into areas that can be damaging to the engines.”
Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Hart, 512th AMXS shift chief and expeditor, said there is a positive aspect to the bad weather. He said his squadron is getting valuable experience that could be vital to mission success in future missions.
“I think it is very beneficial for our Airmen as a whole to go through this experience to broaden their capabilities,” he said. “They are encountering challenges that don’t happen around here often. It’s only going to make them stronger maintainers going forward.”
Reid said while the cold weather is not pleasant, it is a confidence builder knowing he can still get the mission done.
“It’s a good feeling knowing you got something done despite some challenges,” he said. “We can’t pick the weather, but whether it’s hot or cold, we have to be ready to do our part.”