Their teamwork is key to ensure that Tornado combat aircraft can take to the Alaska skies every day during Pacific Skies 24: civilian employees and soldiers from the specialized groups of the maintenance squadron from Büchel. Whether an inspection after 150 flight hours or an engine replacement, they are the ones that make flight operations possible.

In order to ensure smooth maintenance, Master Sergeant Tim K. checks the Tornado aircraft on the runway. As the maintenance coordinator, he is the link between Operations Control and his squadron. His tasks include coordinating inspections and correcting aircraft malfunctions. His presence is usually required during the takeoff and landing phase when malfunctions occur immediately before or after a flight. Especially before a flight, it is imperative to quickly eliminate the malfunction so that the combat aircraft can take off in due time.

In addition, he acts as an intermediary between the specialized groups since work on an aircraft requires a wide variety of expertise. However, not all technicians can work on an aircraft at the same time. There must be enough space for an unhindered inspection of the aircraft. 54 staff members from nine specialized areas of the maintenance squadron traveled to Alaska for the exercise.

The inspections

Aircraft inspections can be divided into three broad categories: minor inspections taking place after 37.5 flight hours, extended inspections carried out after 75 hours and comprehensive inspections due after 150 flight hours. In addition to an engine replacement, the maintenance activities at the Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage also included such a comprehensive inspection, which was conducted by five specialized groups: Propulsion Systems, Mechanics, Crew Escape Systems, Electromechanics and Hydraulics.

But what exactly are the tasks of the specialized groups? One of the groups specializes in propulsion systems and checks, for example, the engines. The Crew Escape Systems specialized group checks elements such as the canopy, which must be jettisoned as soon as possible in an emergency so as not to endanger the pilot when he activates the ejection seat. The Electromechanics specialized group checks switches in the landing gears or cable protectors in the wing sweep area. In these areas, their work intersects with that of the Hydraulics specialized group. This group is responsible for wing movements and proper functioning of the landing gears – basically everything that can move by fluid-generated pressure. Four to six persons each represented the nine specialized groups of the maintenance squadron during Pacific Skies 24 in Alaska.

The specialized groups are not only made up of servicemen and women. Three civilians also participate in the first stage of Pacific Skies 24. The civilian employees bring a lot of experience from the fields in which they were employed before working for the Bundeswehr. This enables an exchange of experience for optimal results – just like servicemen and women passing on their knowledge to their younger comrades.

The atmosphere during the exercise

Unfamiliar environment, foreign terrain and a foreign language. Sometimes the technicians need the support of the host country. Where to find what. How to get the fuel for the ground support equipment. At times, it is necessary to borrow something, and so on. Things that are taken for granted at home and are easy to manage there. Working on a foreign military installation can have its challenges. And that starts with the language. Not every US accent is easy to understand for the German ear. Therefore, the soldiers must know the correct technical terms. The customs are also different at the Air Force Base near Anchorage in Alaska.

Due to the new environment and the daily exercise routine, the specialized groups have to work together even more closely in order to do their work in the best and quickest way possible. Nevertheless, according to Master Sergeant Tim K., the morale is high. In any case, an exercise like this is a welcome change to routine duty, even if this means considerably longer working hours. The new experiences are motivating. The passion for the job is what drives them, because it is a “highlight to be able to tell other people that I’m working on a Tornado,” Tim K. says proudly

Editor: Jasmin Mähler
Originator: Bundeswehr/Luftwaffe