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Scheduling keeps F-16s up to date

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Ingold
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – All F-16CM Fighting Falcons at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, require regular maintenance to stay in tip-top shape and ready to fly.

The 20th Maintenance Group scheduling section ensures that 20th Fighter Wing aircraft are up to date on all inspections.

“Scheduling is the management of every aircraft on Shaw,” said Staff Sgt. Jhodeci Redmon, 20th MXG scheduling noncommissioned officer in charge. “Our job is to make sure aircraft are not overdue on inspections and that it’s safe for pilots and it’s safe for maintenance. If there is a 30-day inspection and the aircraft is grounded, scheduling makes sure all the work is done before it flies again.”

The team tracks inspections and jet operational integrity for all aircraft assigned to Shaw, not just aircraft physically on the base. Shaw’s Falcons must be kept up to date regardless of location.

“We have demo aircraft in Miami for a show,” said Redmon. “We have aircraft for training for Airmen on the flightline, aircraft getting major work done like wing changes and aircraft that are flying.”

Maintaining the regular inspection schedule for jets has been a consistent part of proper aircraft maintenance.

Master Sgt. James Parrish, 20th MXG plans scheduling and documentation section chief, said every morning schedulers inform the three maintenance unit superintendents which F-16s need maintenance now and which are scheduled for next week.

“Over the 19 years I have served, the scheduling piece hasn’t changed,” said Parrish. “The important piece is to make sure every inspection is done on time and every part is replaced on time because that could be a safety issue in flight.”

Keeping jets safe and ready to go at the drop of a hat is the mission of the scheduling section and achieving that goal is what they strive for every day. When Shaw’s jets rumble down the runway, the scheduling section has made sure they are up to date.