Aircrew flight equipment technicians keep mission going

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Morris | Airman 1st Class Mark Harris, 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron air crew flight equipment journeyman, uses a DMH-1 to check the microphone and headset of an air crew helmet, Jan. 17. Harris is part of a six-man team that maintains 24-hour operations for the fighter squadron. He is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan and is a native of Newark, Calif.  

BALAD, IRAQ

02.04.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – 0030 Zulu, Joint Base Balad Operations Center Capt. Don "Bodhi" Davenport, F-16 pilot, and his wingman begin their mission planning for the day's sortie. They receive their pre-flight intelligence brief and objective.

0230-0245 Zulu, 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment shop: Davenport and his wingman begin their pre-flight equipment checks.

Under the watchful eye of Airman 1st Class Danny Blaylock, 14thEFS aircrew flight equipment technician, the pilots perform a self-test on their Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems helmet using the Combined Aircrew System Test machine. They each function-check their own helmets, taking note of any air-leaks or other equipment malfunction. Blaylock monitors the test diligently, ready to assist at a moment's notice in case of any equipment malfunctions. Shortly after, the pilots are just about ready; they suit-up -- G-force suit, survival vest, radios, and ejection-seat harness. Finally, they secure their weapons and are ready to go after one final equipment check by Blaylock.

0245 Zulu, JBB flightline: Within minutes, the F-16 pilots step off to begin the day's sortie.

Blaylock, a native of Bluff City, Tenn., is one of a six-person team of aircrew flight equipment journeymen currently deployed here, charged with sustaining 24-7 operations and maintaining 32 sets of pilot equipment for the 14th EFS, which ensure that each 14th EFS pilot has fully functioning safety equipment for each sortie flown in order to keep the mission going.

"The pilot's lives are in our hands," added Airman 1st Class Mark Harris a 14th EFS aircrew flight equipment technician from Newark, Calif. "It's our job to make sure all of their gear is working like it should so they are ready for the fight. We can't afford to fail."

Aircrew flight equipment technicians have approximately 15 minutes to prepare a pilot prior to flying, ensuring they have all the necessary equipment and it is in working order.

"The entire step-process through aircrew flight equipment is 15 minutes top," said Blaylock, who is currently deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan, "We have to make sure we do everything right the first time; that's why we are there watching [pilots] do all of their checks. So if anything is wrong with the equipment, we are there to fix it at a moment's notice. It doesn't seem like a long time, but those 15 minutes are vital to their safety."

Working together with the pilots, aircrew flight equipment technicians here work to get the mission done.

"The life-support and operations section work hand-in-hand to accomplish the mission every day," said Davenport, who is currently deployed here from the 13th FS, Misawa AB. "If it was not for the fine work of the aircrew flight equipment flight, we would not be able to make our missions happen."

Staff Sgt. Quinton Fitzgerald, 14th EFS assistant non-commissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, agreed.

"We are a team; we are here because [the pilots] are here and their gear is here," said Fitzgerald, a native of Baton Rouge, La. "We keep them safe, while they keep us safe."

Davenport, who directly benefits from the aircrew flight equipment flight's work is very thankful for everything it does.

"These guys do a lot," he said. "I appreciate everything they do for us. I hope I never have to use their equipment, but if I do, I have full faith in these guys.

"They pay attention to the smallest of details," the captain from Newport Beach, Calif., added. "For example, Airman Blaylock always makes sure my mask is not only working properly, but he makes sure it smells super clean. Believe it or not, that also makes pilots happy. It's those little things that we forget about that also make a difference."

Attention to detail is important for each Airman during day to day business; however, these Airmen have their own meaning for the phrase.

"Attention to detail in our case means life or death, because even the smallest flaw can cause gear to malfunction," said Staff Sgt. Quinton Fitzgerald, 14th EFS assistant NCOIC of aircrew flight equipment, "We do a lot of inspections and a lot of the time the stuff that gets caught would be small to most people, but they are big things to us because any flaw having to do with a pilot's gear is critical."

"We are their final safety measure, if all else fails, then it's on our heads to make sure he or she gets home safely," continued the sergeant. "Everyone else might be able to make a mistake, but we can't. That's us – [the pilot's] final lifeline. There are no second chances."

0645 Zulu, 14th EFS aircrew flight equipment shop: Davenport and his wingman return after the mission is complete. They unload their weapons and drop off their gear in the capable hands of the aircrew flight equipment team. The Airmen proceed with their post-flight check of the equipment and prepare for another day's work.

"We help bring things full circle," said Staff Sgt. William Carroll, 14th EFS NCOIC of aircrew flight equipment and Pleasant Hill, Mo., native. "If the pilots didn't have the equipment that they needed to do their mission, then the troops on the ground who need airpower right away wouldn't have it right away. Then the guys on the ground couldn't do their mission. We all work together to accomplish the mission."

• Date Taken: 02.04.2009
• Date Posted: 02.04.2009 08:59
• Story ID: 29636
• Location: BALAD, IQ