Avionics flight: Keeping Eagles in the air

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The F-15 Eagle has a 104 to 0 air-to-air kill ratio, and its avionics system plays a huge part of that flawless record.

"We are a key reason for the lethality of the Eagle," said Senior Master Sgt. Walter Greene, avionics flight chief. "Without the serviceable avionics equipment we provide, the F-15 would be hard-pressed to be the air superiority asset that it is."

As one of four flights within the 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, the avionics flight provides the necessary maintenance and support for these systems once pulled from the flightline.

Manned by 48 Airmen, the 18th CMS avionics crew works 24/7 to keep systems such as the radar warning receiver, internal countermeasure set, flight instruments, radar weapons delivery and electronic countermeasure ready before the pilot knows they are needed.

The flight is divided into two sections, each handling a portion of 15 major avionic functions. The Electronic Systems Test Set, or ESTS, maintains communication, display and flight control units.

The other section is an acronym within an acronym, the TEWS Intermediate Support System, or TISS. TEWS stands for Tactical Electronic Warfare System. The TISS primarily deals with the components related to combat and electronic warfare.

Performing these tasks as a unified body is made even more complex due to the experience of the maintainers themselves. The 14 members who comprise day shift have a mixed mechanical background. Other than the F-15 Eagle, some members have a history with the F-16 Falcon as well as the B-1 Lancer.

"This team acts as one cohesive unit, with some smart aleck's thrown in the mix," said Staff Sgt. Brandie Boos, production supervisor. "They are all very hard working and love to do their job right. If we didn't perform at our best, those planes would be able to fly but do nothing else."

Because these systems are repaired on site at Kadena, weeks, possibly months, can be saved. For example, the repair of a multipurpose color display could take the CMS crew a day or two instead of having to ship the part to a depot in Georgia.

Saving money is another reason the avionics flight is so important to the mission. Common repairs range from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands; however, the replacement cost of the most expensive component in the avionics system is priced just north of $1.5 million.

As long as Eagles fly over Kadena, the 18th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics flight will be there too.

"We're always here," said Greene. "We are an enabler of the sound of freedom you hear every day."