Kenneth Kephart
Warrensburg,MO
Summary
Operations leader for survival and flight equipment, managing quality control, compliance, and safety management programs. Supervises team performance, mission scheduling, and readiness training. Improves operational efficiency to support mission-ready flight operations.
Overview
1
1
Language
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Survival & Flight Equipment Flight Chief
Federal Government
Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
10.2024 - Current
- Coordinated mission schedules with operations control and maintenance teams to keep flight operations aligned.
- Worked with maintenance teams to organize mission schedules for smooth flight operations.
- Guided subordinate personnel performance through feedback and coaching to improve team effectiveness.
- Tracked training records and currency requirements for assigned personnel.
- Monitored training records for compliance, readiness, and currency requirements for assigned personnel.
- Maintained training records and currency requirements for assigned personnel.
- Managed mission documentation logs and compliance paperwork to uphold regulatory standards.
- Enforced safety procedures across federal aviation activities.
- Maintained field proficiency to support personnel and aircrew safety.
- Supervised team performing routine preventive maintenance tasks.
- Monitored subordinate personnel performance and provided feedback and guidance to improve team effectiveness.
- Supervised crew performance and corrected compliance issues.
- Worked with other flight chiefs to support efficient operations.
- Managed aircrew scheduling assignments and duty coverage.
- Assisted federal aviation flight operations and daily crew assignments.
Survival and Flight Equipment Quality Assurance
Federal Government
Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
06.2019 - 09.2024
- Used advanced technical skills to resolve complex issues and deliver effective solutions.
- Shared new ideas and process improvements that strengthened team performance and project outcomes.
- Completed research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decisions.
- Completed multiple shop program inspections and reviews for policy update action.
- Performed daily quality control checks on personnel routine equipment inspections.
- Reviewed and applied Air Force policy and regulation updates.
- Maintained flight equipment technical order library with weekly updates and revisions.
- Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
- Directed a quality assurance program for AFE flight and executed the required inspections on critical survival assets.
- Managed quality control inspection process for parachutes, life rafts, and oxygen masks while maintaining strict compliance with Air Force instructions and technical orders.
- Conducted comprehensive audit of flight equipment documentation, corrected compliance errors, and improved record accuracy.
- Supervised and mentored AFE technicians, certified personnel on complex quality assurance procedures, and reduced training timelines.
- Tracked and managed time compliance technical orders, completing modifications on life-support systems.
Survival and Flight Equipment Technician
Federal Government
Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
11.2004 - 05.2019
- Facilitated repairs of flight gear harnesses and survival equipment according to approved maintenance procedures, ensuring operational readiness.
- Maintained, calibrated, and securely stored specialized flight gear, upholding stringent safety standards and compliance.
- Tested oxygen masks, helmets, and communication systems before mission issuance.
- Inspected flight equipment for federal aviation units and safety compliance.
- Verified serviceability of life support equipment before operational use.
- Performed maintenance on communication equipment.
- Inspected completed work to verify maintenance met standards and procedures.
- Completed scheduled and unscheduled safety and performance assessments.
- Used troubleshooting procedures to determine root causes of faults.
- Troubleshot aircraft electrical systems, including power supplies and relays.
- Replaced defective parts and corrected problems using hand and power tools.
- Calibrated instruments to manufacturer specifications using precision measuring devices such as micrometers and dial indicators.
- Checked calibration of tools to maintain precision during maintenance tasks. for proper calibration before use.
- Fabricated replacement parts from raw materials using hand tools such as drills, saws, grinders, and lathes.
- Assisted with fabrication of custom parts from engineering drawings or customer specifications.
- Researched, read, and interpreted technical manuals and guidelines before inspections, installations, and repairs.
- Coordinated with vendors for spare parts orders.
- Issued and received flight equipment for pilot and aircrew assignments.
- Recorded maintenance actions in federal tracking records and equipment files.
- Provided technical guidance to junior technicians during complex repairs.
- Utilized ground support equipment to efficiently position aircraft parts for installation or repair, enhancing workflow during maintenance tasks.
- Maintained repair logs documenting preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance activities.
- Reported issues, malfunctions, unusual wear, or damage to appropriate personnel.
- Read complex manuals to review repair procedures.
- Installed and inspected new equipment for airworthiness compliance.
- Used blueprints to lay out and install new aircraft assemblies and systems with precision.
Education
Specialized Training Certification -
Combat Survival Training Course
Fairchild Air Force Base, WA02-2011
Specialized Training Certification -
Parachute And Survival Training Course
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL12-2010
High School Diploma -
Holden High School
Holden, MO05-2002
Skills
- Aircraft maintenance expertise
- Aviation operations experience
- Quality control and compliance
- Technical order management
- Maintenance planning
- Risk evaluation
- Operational planning
- Records and safety management
- Personnel supervision
- Problem-solving skills
- Effective communication
Languages
English
Professional
Accomplishments
- Distinguished Unit Award, 442d Fighter Wing 2021
- 442d Operations Group SNCO of the year 2025
- Air Force Reserve Command UEI CAPSTONE, Hard Charger 2026
Timeline
Survival & Flight Equipment Flight Chief
Federal Government
10.2024 - Current
Survival and Flight Equipment Quality Assurance
Federal Government
06.2019 - 09.2024
Survival and Flight Equipment Technician
Federal Government
11.2004 - 05.2019
Specialized Training Certification -
Combat Survival Training Course
Specialized Training Certification -
Parachute And Survival Training Course
High School Diploma -
Holden High School