MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Technical Sergeant Charles Steward is an aerospace propulsion specialist with the 908th Maintenance Squadron’s propulsion shop.
Steward originally joined the Air Force Reserve as a Traditional Reservist back in October 2014. He said he enlisted because he had always wanted to serve his country and for the added perk of educational benefits.
As an aerospace propulsion specialist, he said he works with anything related to C-130 Hercules engine propellers and their auxiliary power units. The variety of tasks involved can range anywhere from propeller buildup to engine overhaul in the shop. They make sure to run assessments, diagnostics and vibration analyses on the propeller engines as well.
He said that being able to work on C-130 Hercules every day is very rewarding, albeit taxing, because of the hot Alabama sun and long hours. He said it is all worth it to know that they will be ready for deployments.
“It’s good to see our products come to fruition especially if you’re deployed or in an operational environment,” said Steward. “The plane has to go pick up [medical evacuation] troops somewhere in a combat zone and you’re the person who is there to fix the aircraft to make sure that it can go out and do that job.”
Even though Steward has always worked in the 908th Maintenance Group, he said he wants to transition to being a pilot.
“My end goal has always been to fly,” said Steward.
In February of 2019, Steward started attending pilot school. He just received his degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in international studies from University of Alabama at Birmingham this past May. Since graduating from UAB he has gone on to take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test in order to get closer to realizing his dream of becoming a pilot with the Air Force. He is currently training to get his private pilot license.
Since becoming an Air Reserve Technician with the 908th MXS in September 2019, Steward and his wife, Staff Sgt. Taylor Steward, and their two dogs moved from Trussville, Alabama, to be closer to Montgomery so that they could be closer to both of their work places. Taylor is a bioenvironmental engineer with the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham, Alabama.
Having Airmen like Steward who have achieved their dream of serving their country and now strive to do even more are why the 908th is always ready to provide combat capable Airmen anytime and anywhere.