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Aircrews depend on 379th EMXS avionics Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hannah Landeros
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  As aircrews provide coverage for fighting forces on the ground, it is the responsibility of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron avionics flight to ensure the aircrews are properly equipped to provide support to troops in need.

The 379th EMXS avionics flight houses the only avionics repair facility throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility.

In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the avionics flight provides repairs spanning from heads-up displays to radar, pods and electronic warfare equipment for the B-1B Lancer, C-17 Globemaster, F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Avionics simplified is aviation electronics that provide multiple offensive and defensive capabilities," said Staff Sgt. Travis Carroll, 379th EMXS B-1B avionics test station journeyman deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and a China Spring, Texas, native.

The 379th EMXS avionics flight is divided into two shops, the Electronic Counter Measures and the Avionics Intermediate Section, or AIS. Electronic Counter Measures maintains two pods on the exterior of the aircraft while the AIS maintains the line replaceable units, or LRUs, which are located on the interior of the airframe.

"Our role to the OEF mission is important because the systems we repair allow airframes to maneuver through enemy air space without being detected and provide the ability to quickly target and precisely deliver munitions," said Carroll.

As parts come in for repairs, the avionics flight has two shifts working 12 hour days to provide services 24/7/365.

Each aircraft has a different number of LRUs that could need repair, ranging from six to 66 per plane.

"When there are multiple LRUs that need repair it can be a challenge trying to identify exactly which components need to be worked on," said explained Staff Sgt. Allen Orr, 379th EMXS F-15 avionics team leader deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and a Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., native.

After the troubleshoot is complete and the faulty equipment has been discovered, Airmen from the avionics shop begin to repair, or replace when necessary, the components.

"Working through a different problem everyday keeps the job interesting," said Carroll. "There is always something new to learn in avionics."

Once avionics Airmen have completed repairs, all equipment undergoes an operational test to ensure that all components are functioning properly before they are placed back onto an aircraft.

"Being in the back shop, we don't always get to see how our job effects the mission, but when other service members who work on the ground come up to me and say 'that aircrew saved my life,' it's very rewarding knowing that my job makes a difference," said Orr.