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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Niagara to host critical training for aircraft maintainers, receives kudos for base facilities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION --  The 914th Airlift wing is hosting a joint Weight and Balance Technical Interchange Meeting this week for maintenance Airmen on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls NY.

"Weight and Balance training is decisive for Airmen to learn. If the [weight and balance] calculations are not correct, it could mean an unsafe flying situation for the U.S. aircrews and aircraft," said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony "Buddy" Palla, the 130th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Branch Chief from Charleson Air Force Base, SC
Airmen came from all over the United States, Puerto Rico as well as Kadenia Air Base, Japan to attend this critical training.

"For some it is refresher training, for others it is their initial certification. We will certify 25 individuals at this TIM," said 914th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance Superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Braunscheidel.

"There are a total of 42 class participants including 22 Guardsmen, 13 Reservist, one active duty Airman and one Department of Defense Civilian," he added.

This is the first time the 40-hour long class has been hosted by an Air Force Reserve Unit in six years and is significant to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station's war-fighting capabilities.

According to Braunscheidel, the Niagara Falls ARS is receiving four certified quality assurance inspectors as well as exposing 914th Airmen to weight and balance, greatly increasing unit deployment readiness.

Palla was very positive about the training taking place at Niagara Falls.

"The training here is more realistic because the Airmen are practicing on a real-world C-130," Palla said. "It's also more practical than other training scenarios due to Niagara's facilities [and participation]. The support and coordination of the 914th was excellent he said. Palla stated he would love to come back to attend more training at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The facilities are some of the nicer ones we've been to, plus the convenience factor is also great. Palla said. "How many places is the lodging a short walk away from the facilities we're training in?" Palla said with a laugh. "Niagara is the ideal venue for what we're trying to do here."

The TIM training will continue through the rest of this week here, at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.