AMT: EMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE

When Jonah Lopez looks back on his journey, it’s clear that he’s not one to sit still. From his time in the Army to his first steps into aviation, Jonah’s path has been all about growth, grit, and chasing new challenges. Now an MHIRJ Academy graduate, he proves that you don’t need experience in aviation to thrive—you just need the drive to learn and adapt. 

 

From Army Boots to Toolkits

Jonah spent much of his life in West Virginia, falling in love with the mountains, tight-knit community, and all things outdoors. Professionally, though, things really took off at 18 when he joined the U.S. Army. As part of the 459th Engineering Company, Jonah sharpened his engineering skills by building bridges and handling demolitions.

“I was taught to never stop learning,” Jonah said. “I just keep pushing forward.”

That same mindset eventually led him to take on an entirely new challenge: aviation.

Diving into Aviation

When Jonah transitioned to civilian life, aviation wasn’t even on his radar. But when a friend told him about the MHIRJ Academy, he saw an opportunity he couldn’t pass up: learning a hands-on trade while getting paid.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into at first,” Jonah says. “But I dove in headfirst—and now I can’t imagine doing anything else. This is where I belong.”

The Academy gave him more than a paycheck. It offered a career path with room to grow and new challenges every day.

Finding His Place at the Academy

Jonah describes the MHIRJ Academy as more than a training program. For him, it became a place where he found belonging. Expert instructor Kenny Sinclair guided him through hands-on lessons, and the camaraderie among classmates reinforced his decision to join.

“It feels more like an MHIRJ family than just a job,” Jonah tells us. “The support is unmatched. If I didn’t get something, Kenny would break it down step by step. And the hands-on work—cutting, drilling, riveting—that’s where I felt right at home.”

The people and their ability to come together toward a common goal are what sets MHIRJ apart. 

A Message to Dreamers and Doers

Jonah’s leap from military service to aviation proves that big changes are worth the risk. His advice to anyone on the fence about their next step—especially fellow veterans—is simple: “Don’t stop. Run to the opportunity. Aviation offers challenges, growth, and a sense of accomplishment you won’t find everywhere.”

He tells us that this isn’t just a job; it’s a passion. Working on aircraft combines his love of mechanics with a purpose: keeping people safe in the skies.

“I can’t wait to step onto the shop floor, meet the crew chiefs, and see the finished products of our work,” Jonah said. “That’s the ultimate reward—knowing we’ve accomplished something that really matters.”

Building a Future at MHIRJ

Jonah sees MHIRJ as the place where he’ll grow his career. “This isn’t just a job—it’s a career I want to grow in for the next five, ten years, or even the rest of my life.”

“The team here wants you to succeed, and in return, you help the company succeed. It’s a partnership that’s hard to find,” Jonah explains. For him, it’s not just about the work; it’s about building a future with a company that feels like home.

Read more stories about life at MHIRJ on WINGSPAN, and explore our current open positions to take the next step in your aviation career: mhirj.com/en/careers 

The first thing to notice about Pete Hammond is his soft-spoken demeanor and firm handshake–the latter, a possible tell of time spent in the military. Hammond, a United States Air Force veteran, was inspired to join the military by his family’s history of service. His grandfather served in the army, his two brothers, the navy, and his father served during WWII as a Marine. His father, an officer, arrived in Guadalcanal a Major and returned a Lieutenant Colonel. 

“I thought, you know, that's an honorable thing to do…It’ll help straighten out your character, give you discipline, and I think it’s very valuable,” Hammond said. 

With most branches of the military accounted for at the family dinner table, what inspired Hammond to join the AirForce, specifically, was a close friend.

“I had a close friend at the time, and he said, ‘I'm going to go into this.’ I never saw him while I was in... He went to England…but I found out I was going to Korea. I didn’t think Korea would be a good place to go at the time, but it turned out to be one of the best assignments,” Hammond said.

Hammond was able to tour the countryside, visit bulgogi (meat) tents, and immerse himself in South Korean culture.   

“I was able to meet people in South Korea. And they were always honored to meet you and talk to you and were friendly...The people were just really good people—and the food was good too!”

Hammond served as a weapons system specialist from 1982-1986. During this time, he found a sense of companionship and camaraderie with fellow airmen he met along the way. Many became close friends.

“There was, in the military, quite a bit of camaraderie, especially during the basic training time. And then, when I went to Korea, because you're in a foreign country for the first time, and you had a group of people that kind of supported you,” Hammond said. 

Hammonds military career pushed him to travel to many unexpected places. From Colorado and Texas to South Korea and New Mexico. Though, it was at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona where he met the woman who would become his future wife.

The two were inadvertently paired up at the State Fair while accompanying each of their friends who had been dating each other at the time. 

“My wife sat with me. We got to the state fair, and by the end of it, it kind of was a date. I asked her out some time after that. So, yeah. That sort of makes it short and sweet.”

The pair decided to stay settled in Tucson following the end of his military contract and thus began Hammonds transition from military to civilian life.

Although this transition can oftentimes be filled with challenges, just as often, it can present opportunities. Hammond was able to leverage some experience that eventually led to a position with MHIRJ in 2011. As a former airman, he was able to utilize his interest in aviation to complement skills and experiences gained during his service. Together, they provided a solid foundation for a successful civilian career at MHIRJ, an aviation group that provides solutions and regional aircraft MRO services.

A notable challenge Hammond encountered was the difference in structure and procedures relating to military and civilian careers. 

“In the military everything had to be specific. But in civilian life, it's not so specific. Procedures are different. How you approach things is different. It's not as strict of an atmosphere…There’s a gray area.”

In Hammond’s current role in the stockroom in receiving and inspection of aircraft parts, he felt a similarity with more strict guidelines with respect to FAA standards.

  “Every part gets inspected and checked…it's all very monitored because of the FAA,” Hammond said.  

One thing most might not expect is how common it is to run into other veterans who have also made the transition out of the military. 

“Working here, running into other veterans. You get taken back to the good old glory days. And we talk about things that happened, and things that are similar to what people have gone through or experienced. Some are funny. Some are not...There always is respect between each other like that. You served. I served. We served. We did our duty. We were patriots. That kind of thing.”

Pete Hammond, with his soft-spoken demeanor is one of the many veterans who have found a place among the hangars of MHIRJ. He is proof that service doesn’t end with the shedding of a uniform. It carries on long after. The tell may be as subtle as a firm handshake. Thank you, Pete, for sharing your story. And, for your service.

#StoriesfromtheHangar:Veteran

For brothers Manny and Jose Encinas, working at MHIRJ is more than just building careers—it’s about strengthening the bond they’ve had since childhood. Raised in Tucson, Arizona, they honed their mechanical skills on cars in their grandfather’s garage and have now taken that expertise to aircraft at MHIRJ. Watch their story here:

 

From Backyard Mechanics to Aviation Pros

Manny and Jose’s passion for working with their hands started young, inspired by their grandfather, an auto mechanic. “Our grandpa taught us to work on vehicles so we wouldn’t have to depend on anyone else,” Manny explains. “But we never thought we’d take it to the next level and work on airplanes. Even my grandpa’s shocked!”

Manny’s journey into aviation began after high school when a family member suggested he give it a shot. “I didn’t know anything about airplanes, but I’m glad I took the leap—it changed my life,” he says. As the older brother, Manny encouraged Jose to follow in his footsteps. “I kept telling him, ‘You’re gonna love it.’”

The Power of Brotherhood

Jose looked up to Manny, though it took him some time to follow his brother’s advice. “In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but seeing what Manny was accomplishing made me want that for myself,” Jose admits. Their bond has always been strong. “We’ve always been close. We fought a lot growing up, but it was fun,” Manny recalls, laughing about their childhood wrestling during Friday Night Smackdown commercial breaks.

Now, the brothers work side by side at MHIRJ—Manny as a Crew Chief and Jose as a mechanic apprentice. “I’m proud of him,” Manny says. “He’s working hard for this.”

Learning and Growing Together

Jose’s path has been a mix of hard work and following Manny’s advice. “I started as an open-close and eventually enrolled in A&P school,” Jose says. “Now, I’m almost done, and I’m excited to get my license.” Even though their shifts don’t always align, the brothers support each other. “He’s always there if I need advice,” Jose says, and Manny adds, “I brought him in during high school to show him the ropes.”

Family Pride and Future Dreams

Their grandfather, who taught them the basics, couldn’t be prouder. “He loves that we work on airplanes,” says Manny. “He tells me all the time how proud he is of us.” Their mother is equally proud, and Manny is grateful to be in a position to give back. “She worked so hard to take care of us, and I’m happy I can now take care of her.”

Looking ahead, Manny has big ambitions. “I want to keep moving up—one day, I want to be Director of Maintenance.” Jose, focused on finishing school, is excited about what’s next. “There’s always something new to learn, and that’s what I love about this job.”

Read more stories about life at MHIRJ on WINGSPAN, and explore our current open positions to take the next step in your aviation career: mhirj.com/en/careers