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Viper AMU: Falcons inspected for combat

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 332 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  At one time or another everyone has played the game, I spy. In the game a person would say, "I spy with my little eye something that starts with a _____." Airmen of the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit, play a form of this game before every aircraft sortie.

Joint Base Balad's 332 VAMU, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., perform various ongoing inspections on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including the exceptional release inspection.

An exceptional release is the final inspection performed by production supervisors. During this inspection, the aircraft and its forms are scrutinized for any noticeable discrepancies or documentation errors. After the production supervisor signs the forms releasing the aircraft from maintenance, it's cleared for the pilot to take it on his mission.

"Inspections are important," said Master Sgt. Jesse Mathes, 332 VAMU production superintendant. "The AMU wants to give the pilot a safe and reliable aircraft every time so they can go and complete the mission."