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Maintainers keep airplanes flying during Bahrain International Airshow

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • AFCENT Combat Camera Team
MANAMA, Bahrain --  Pilots without maintainers are just pedestrians with sunglasses and cool jackets.

This is a humorous take on the relationship between pilots and crew chiefs, but one based on fact because without proper maintenance, planes don't fly and pilots stay on the ground.

Here at the inaugural Bahrain International Airshow, Jan. 21-23, that mission is to spotlight state-of-the-art fighters and transports in front of military and civilian leaders from across the Middle East and thousands of spectators from the small island nation of Bahrain.

The importance of the mission is not lost on the maintainers.

"This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our aircraft and professionals to our good allies, the Bahrainis, along with the other Coalition partners here", said Capt. Candido Mendes, airshow maintenance director assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain. "I am proud to be here working with a great group of maintenance Airmen. They are top-notch professionals and great ambassadors for our country and the Air Force."

The South Dakota Air National Guard fighters are a popular attraction at the show and many people photograph and talk about them. The maintainers are proud of the attention they receive and take great pride in their efforts to keep the sleek and deadly aircraft ready for pilots to fly.

"We are very dedicated to our aircraft," said Master Sgt. Troy Erlandson, an avionics maintainer and Guardsman assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. "Our pilots are flying planes which were built in 1985, making them some of the oldest F-16s around. We have a lot of pride in taking care of these aircraft and getting them ready to get into the fight with their active-duty counterparts or representing the United States here at this airshow."

That pride is evident as they meet with foreign military dignitaries and civilian leaders. Speaking about their experiences and their appreciation of being welcomed to the event, the maintainers stand proudly by the aircraft they maintain, ready to highlight "their planes" to airshow visitors.

It is an opportunity even a veteran maintainer relishes.

"It's really great having this chance to come down from Iraq and meet with the citizens and leaders of Bahrain," Sergeant Erlandson said. "This event highlights our relationship with this country, which is important to the security and stability of the region and I am proud to have been a part of it."