14th specialists specialize in aircraft maintenance

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AB, Japan-- --  Editors Note: Fourth in a series of six about the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Most flights in the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, to include production supervisors and expeditors, crew chiefs and weapons, have a singular job and mission. However, in the world of aircraft maintenance units the specialist flight breaks that mold. 

The specialist flight is divided into three sub-sections. In the engines section, Airmen ensure the engine is running at peak performance, guaranteeing the pilot has power on demand. The Electro-environmental section, also known as E&E, specialists ensure electrical power is unimpeded to the systems of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and they're also responsible for cooling air to the pilot for comfort and the systems so they don't over-heat. The avionics section reprograms the aircraft systems and ensures proper functioning of the computers in a computer-driven aircraft. 

"We are responsible for 40 different systems," said Master Sgt. John Barber II, 14th AMU specialist flight NCO in charge. "Specialists are the aircraft fixers. If you have an automobile that's busted-the lights won't go on, the brakes don't work, or something like that-you would go to an automobile specialist. Likewise, the pilots come to the specialist flight with their broke jets. We troubleshoot and fix the problem so they can fly the next day." 

When the pilot has a reported issue with the air conditioning or electrical functionality of the aircraft E&E will be the specialists to work the issue. 

"If the pilot has a problem that's dealing with power or the environmental side we will go out and fix it in a timely manner," said Airman First Class Edward Szymanski, 14th AMU specialist flight E&E specialist. "If we don't do our job correctly then all the other systems on the aircraft are going to be effected. So, our role is very important, and we do a great job of supporting the other specialists and flights." 

Another crucial part of the specialist flight is the engine section. 

"Without the motor there's are no jets in the air," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Gadbois, 14th AMU specialist jet engine propulsion journeyman. "We maintain the motor and ensure the integrity of the motor." 

The engine specialists ensure the integrity of the motors by performing scheduled maintenance and replacing parts of the motor that can be reached without pulling the motor from the aircraft. If there's a problem engine specialists can't handle on the flightline or in a hangar, then the motor is removed from the aircraft and sent to the motor back shop for more in-depth repairs. 

The gate keepers of the systems on the F-16 are the avionics specialist, said Tech. Sgt. David Bruce, 14th AMU avionics craftsman. 

"We work on every system," said Sergeant Bruce. "By the design of the F-16 all systems, whether it's engines, E&E, weapons or crew chief components all use our wiring and have signals that pass through our computers." 

Teamed together the specialist flight has garnered a zero repeat-recur rate. 

"The specialist flight is doing fantastic," said Sergeant Barber. "One of the report cards that the specialist section receives is the repeat-recur rate and it's currently at zero. This means we fixed the aircraft right the first time and the problem didn't come back. If I had to pick one word to describe the specialist flight it would be reliable, because it reflects our maintenance habits."