A Day in the Life: F-16 Aircraft Maintenance Officer

After 4 years of college ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and 1 year of married life living in Virginia, my husband and I somehow got our very first choice of duty station- Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It was always his dream to be around F-16s like his grandfather had been when he was stationed at Spangdahlem as a Crew Chief around 25 years prior. To say that we were blessed and incredibly lucky to follow in his family’s footsteps is an understatement! 

We packed up our tiny apartment in Virginia and hopped on a flight to Germany excited, and a little scared to start a completely new life in a foreign country while my husband started his military career as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. 

Life Overseas

Luckily, before we PCSed (Permanent Change of Station) overseas, we received a great sponsor who was our go-to guide for everything. Setting up our PSC Box (Postal Service Center), getting medical documents, arranging transportation from the airport, hotel lodging on base, and answering probably a million questions that we had before we stepped foot in Germany. I don’t know how we would have made it those first few weeks without the help. 

We quickly adjusted and fell in love with our small Spangdahlem community and the German culture off-base. Historic cities, the food, Oktoberfest, castles, Christmas markets, the people…we’ve never felt more at home. 

Plus, being next-door neighbors with 9 different countries is a huge bonus to life overseas! We can easily drive 45 minutes to Luxembourg or 2 hours to Belgium for a weekend without having to plan a big trip with time off. That’s honestly the best perk. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of challenges that come with the dreamy stuff. Learning the language and trying to communicate with landlords and utility companies, finding a new grocery store, being far away from friends and family, getting a German driver’s license (although driving on the Autobahn is so much fun), and learning German customs and etiquette like quiet hours and mandatory recycling. Over time, and with lots of practice, these things become second nature! 

Training- What’s it like?

A few months into living in Germany, my husband started his training through AMOC (Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course). This required one month of online schooling and three and a half months of training at Sheppard AFB in Texas while I stayed home in Germany. 

AMOC helps prepare maintenance officers for virtually everything that happens on the flightline. Officers like my husband are given a general understanding of every aspect of aircraft maintenance from maintenance metrics to aircraft generation to ensure the mission is accomplished, and, most importantly, that the airman and pilots are safe. The jets go through a beating during every single flight, so it’s the maintainers’ responsibility to make sure the aircraft is back to 100% capability before the next take-off with zero mistakes made. Without aircraft maintenance, there would be no air power. 

After graduation, my husband returned home and was immediately assigned as a flight commander for one of the maintenance back shops (avionics, propulsion, fabrication, etc.) It’s an extremely taxing job being an aircraft maintainer and being responsible for your people’s lives and safety, but it’s one that my husband excels at. When I ask him what his favorite part of being an Aircraft Maintenance Officer is, his answer is always the people. 

Advice For Maintainer Spouses

Even though life overseas is exciting and fun, there are still challenges that naturally come with military life. There is always something unexpected that will pop up that will force you to shift your mindset and expectations a little bit. It’s important to stay flexible, open-minded, and understanding in these situations. Surround yourself with other spouses and mentors who have been where you are and understand what you’re going through. 

If you’re PCSing overseas, be proactive in plugging into your on-base and off-base communities! Make an effort to learn the language, understand the culture, and enjoy so much of the world that’s now in your backyard. It is the adventure of a lifetime if you let it!