Southwest Asia --
Across Southwest Asia, at any given moment, there
are aircraft flying in harm’s way to deliver aid, combat air support to
friendly forces and launching air strikes against ISIL. None of them can
accomplish that without the aircrew flight equipment flight.
“Before the aircrew can do their job, we have to
ensure all the life support equipment is ready to meet the demands of their mission,”
said Staff Sgt. Scott, Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight
equipment technician. “It has to be good to go, otherwise they may not be able
to support others who need it.”
The AFE flight is divided in to sections to support
different aircraft. Each section has their own unique set of equipment, but
they all have one common goal, keeping people alive.
“Our equipment must be serviceable,” said Scott. “If
our gear fails, whether it’s a bad seal on a mask or faulty wiring on a
microphone, it could be the difference if someone comes home at the end of day
or not.”
Every day the AFE flight performs multiple checks on
several aircraft, ensuring oxygen masks, floatation devices, night vision,
cargo straps, life preservers and personnel recovery kits are serviceable.
“We’re a vital link in the chain here. We make sure
the equipment the aircrews have are ready to help them survive,” said Senior
Master Sgt. Michael, EOSS, AFE superintendent. “If we can get their footprint
to 10 meters instead of three football fields, we can get our guy out of a bad
situation fast.”
Ensuring multiple assets are ready to go at a
moment’s notice is top priority for the AFE flight and has led to positive
experience for the men and women who work there.
“I have my eyes on everything,” said Scott. “When I
put my name on something, I know it’s good to go.
“We’ve had no delayed missions. We’re making a
difference here and there’s a huge sense of pride in that.”
(Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons,
last names and unit designators were removed.)