Article Display

Deployed Shaw member prepares pilots for success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard Williams
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Most Airmen have seen an aircraft take off.

They have heard the hum of a taxiing jet.

The jet sat at the end of the runway, and then zoomed across the landscape as if it were shot from a cannon at a thousand miles per hour. The F-16 fighter lifted off, en route to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines accomplishing missions everywhere.

This scene is the bedrock of the U.S. Air Force's operations, but before the pilot can step to the jet and take off, there is one critical stop that must be made: the aircrew flight equipment section.

"On a daily basis, we inspect all the equipment needed by the pilots for a successful mission," said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Botello, 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "We look at everything from the helmet and night vision goggles to the 'G' suits and harness. We also ensure their display units that are used for targeting are operational."

The meticulous inspections consist of checking the visors for cracks, ensuring the helmets have no dents or cracks and all of the interior parts are in place, said Botello, who is deployed from the 20th Operations Support Squadron. "We make sure that the pilots can see when they are out there and that their gear can stand up to the rigors of flight."

The harness and survival gear are also inspected and repaired on an as needed basis so if the pilot has to eject, the proper gear is in place and operational to aid in survival and rescue efforts, said Botello.

"I can't say enough about the criticality of what these guys do," said Capt. David Snodgrass, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron also deployed from Shaw, as he prepared his equipment to leave. "We have to know that when we launch, all of our equipment is ready to use and it is awesome to know we have such great professionals doing the job."

"This is my first deployment. I work with a great crew and I have learned a lot here," said Botello. "It is important to me that we are hands on with the mission. We have a direct impact on how things go up there and it is great to know if we accomplish our job they (the pilots) can do theirs."

Botello said he gets his job satisfaction from seeing the pilots walk in after another successful mission.