Direct Line

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin W. Jack, Officer in Charge of AIMD Sigonella

Greetings! I am Lt. Cmdr. Kevin W. Jack, officer in charge of Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) Sigonella. I started my career with my oath of enlistment in March 1999 and I have since served tours at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC), Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, Patron Squadron (VP) 16, and Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE). I am proud and excited to join the Naval Air Station Sigonella family as we provide necessary support to the Navy and DoD operations in this region of the world.

Located on NAS II, AIMD can be found in the collection of buildings that are located between the terminal and the (now old) patrol squadron hangar.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “What does ‘intermediate maintenance’ even mean?”

Simply put, this category of maintenance is more in-depth and robust than what our shipmates in the squadrons can accomplish, but is less complex than what the artisans at the depots or aircraft manufacturers can achieve. The squadron can replace tires, radios, weapons delivery systems and survival equipment, but AIMD can repair them all and return them faster and cheaper than having the Navy purchase newly manufactured items.

AIMD Sigonella is here to support the assigned and transient aircraft across six operational location with the parts, support equipment, training and maintenance knowledge to keep any aircraft from any service in the fight!

Here onboard NAS Sigonella, we have some of the best maintainers and troubleshooters in the fleet working on the flight line. The depth and scope in the capabilities of my Sailors will astound you:

• Non-destructive inspectors who have a plethora of methods for looking through material to find cracks and impurities. This prevents us from having to cut into aircraft parts to measure their integrity.

• My tire shop spends their days tirelessly rebuilding tires. Their focus is the P-8A Poseidon, the Boeing 737 offshoot you likely see taking off all day long.

• The metrology and calibration laboratory ensures the accuracy of high-fidelity instrumentation used for aircraft maintenance.

• A small team of elite aviation ordnancemen who test and repair bomb racks and other weapon delivery systems.

• Aviation machinist’s mates expertly repair propellers and engines.

• Aviation support equipmentmen maintain a huge array of ground support equipment across all six operational locations within our area of responsibility!

• Aircrew survival equipmentmen test, repair, and ensure all life support equipment work within the aircraft.

• We have new liquid oxygen (LOX) and nitrogen production equipment at our LOX farm. Liquid oxygen is a servicing requirement for many aircraft systems, and my team of subject matter experts are already providing flight line support.

• None of this would be possible without the support of my administration team, the material control team, and the production staff. Every Sailor is doing their part to support the mission!

AIMD Sigonella is continually reviewing where we need to focus to support our fellow warfighters. We work closely with program offices to gain new technologies and capabilities to ensure that stationed and transient squadrons in our area of operation can stay operational. Yes, we normally focus on naval aircraft, but we have a robust capability that the all branches of the military could benefit from.

On a personal note, this is my first overseas tour. I have been a West Coast Sailor the majority of my career, and I am overjoyed to be here in Italy! My family and I have already made so many friends, and we are excited to immerse ourselves in the Sicilian culture and tour the historic sites around Europe. Everyone has been so helpful, and I am looking forward to working with all of you.