FEATURE
HISTORY
FEATURE
FEATURE
2025 Ramstein Retiree Appreciation Day, Page 2
80 years of USAFE, Page 5
Exercise Pale Serpent Page 12
MP Field Training Page 13
October 10, 2025 | Volume 49, Number 40
Behind the scenes:
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Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com Story & photos by Senior Airman Jared Lovett 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Inside Ramstein’s Wheel and Tire Shop
In a small shop tucked away from the flightline is a small team of maintainers who play a major role in keeping the 86th Airlift Wing’s C-130J Super Hercules aerial fleet mission-ready. The 86th Maintenance Squadron’s Wheel and Tire Shop builds wheel assemblies to replenish the Ramstein Supply System and serve flightline maintenance needs. “We’re not on the flight line everyday, but what we do directly impacts every mission that leaves Ramstein,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Smith, 86th MXS noncommissioned officer in charge of the Wheel and Tire Shop. “Without our work, those aircraft wouldn’t have serviceable wheels to take off safely.” A section of only four Airmen repairs an annual average of 136 aircraft wheels, supporting maintenance for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa operations. Each wheel assembly removed
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Maintenance Squadron pose for a photo at the Wheel and Tire Shop at Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 1. Despite being only a four-person team, the Wheel and Tire Shop repairs an average of 136 C-130J Super Hercules wheels each year, ensuring aircraft remain mission-ready to support operations across Europe and Africa. See WHEELS on Pages 16-17
Halberstadt:
Glorious old town, great outdoors
Halberstadt will surprise you, in the best possible way. It’s not a big town (only about 40,000 people), but offers outsized beauty, culture, and See HALBERSTADT, Page 30
“TRON: Ares is the featur ed movie of the week, Pa ge 31
Photo by IURII BURIAK/Shutterstock.com
by MilitaryInGermany.com