Story and photo by Kerstin Lopez
GUIDON Staff

Airmen learn how to operate various large vehicles during a 30-day stint at the Air Force Detachment’s Vehicle Operations Apprentice Course at Training Area 244.

The course is designed to familiarize Airmen on basic task levels in the vehicle operations career field, said Master Sgt. Darren Eller, Vehicle Operations Schoolhouse superintendent.

The 366th Training Squadron, Air Force Detachment 7, houses the Vehicle Operations Apprentice Course, which allows Airmen to get hands-on experience operating commercial vehicles such as 32- and 44-passenger buses, wreckers, forklifts and tractor trailers.

“This is an Air Force-unique course, meaning that it’s strictly for the Air Force,” Eller said.

The apprentice course is geared toward Airmen and does not integrate other branches of service. On average, 350 to 400 Airmen per year graduate the Vehicle Operations Apprentice Course at Fort Leonard Wood.

“Each instructor is held to a high standard, and so are the Airmen in training,” Eller said.

The Air Force Core Values are instilled in the Airmen from day one of training and instructors stress safety and paying attention to detail throughout the course. When dealing with large vehicles such as these, the details are what matter.  

Prior to the operation of any vehicle, the Airmen are required to do 1800-checks of the vehicle, looking and listening for any abnormalities such as scratches, dents or equipment malfunctions. This important step is emphasized from the beginning of training and is a crucial step that cannot be missed. These checks stress the importance in teaching the Airmen to pay attention to detail.

The Vehicle Operations schoolhouse moved to Fort Leonard Wood in 1996, which was ideal because it allowed for more room to train and driving time to give Airmen a good grasp on each vehicle.

On Nov. 3, Airman 1st Class Eric Jaime said his group was in day 16 of training and were getting familiar with the 20-ton wrecker. The Airmen are not just trained to drive the vehicles, but also learn how to operate their components, such as the equipment and levers on the wrecker.

“This course teaches us the basics for our job in the future, and the hands-on experience is good for us to help us see what it’s capable of,” Jaime said.

Jaime added that the course was much more than he anticipated.

“I’m really enjoying this training,” Jaime said.