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Metals tech Airmen weld mission success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A work center lined with pieces of metal-mending machinery sits mere feet from the flightline at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

The Airmen in this facility are assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology flight. They endure the elements to provide premier welding and handcrafted material support for various units across the base.

“We don’t work on just the aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Cody Sanders, 20th EMS aircraft metals technology journeyman. “We also support civil engineers and aerospace ground equipment Airmen. Every day it’s a different customer.”

Metals technology work with a number of metal-transforming machines that recreate broken parts from a solid piece of metal. They are also tasked with using welding tools to join together two or more pieces of metal.

“We are able to fix virtually anything,” said Sanders. “Anything on the aircraft that can break, we can fix. We can create parts and weld cracked parts among other things.”

The group of Airmen perform 24-hour operations to support the 79 F-16 Fighting Falcons on the installation.

“We manufacture the components of pretty much everything on base,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Mutz, 20th EMS aircraft metals technology journeyman.

Mutz went on to say that the flight is the final stop for pieces needing repairs.

No matter the equipment entering the facility, the Airmen ensure they remain precise with their measurements and are able to return serviceable parts to the base populace.

While leaving a trail of sparks in their wake, the Airmen assigned to the 20th EMS metals technology flight continue to assist other units and ensure mission success.