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Shaw maintainers adapt to high ops tempo, keep falcons flying

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a versatile multi-role fighter aircraft that has been proven to be effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

The F-16 squadron here, which is currently deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., has been carrying out missions in Afghanistan for years now all due to the hard work and tireless hours of the maintainers ensuring the F-16 is mission ready.

One of the many responsibilities of the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron is conducting in-depth inspections on aircraft that accrue 400 flight hours. While the 400-hour inspection is a requirement and is the norm across the Air Force, the tempo and occurrence is very high and more frequent because of the constant flying.

"So far in the four-and-a-half months this rotation has been here, they have phased 25 aircraft," said Master Sgt. Chris Gippe, 451st EMXS section chief. Gippe is deployed from Shaw AFB. "Twenty-five phase inspections back home would be done over an 8-to-12 month duration with three squadrons conducting the phases."

Generally, 96 hours is allotted to conduct the thorough inspection, checking everything from leaks and stress fractures to out of the ordinary things that may cause further damage, which in turn could result in the loss of an aircraft.

"Everyone works together, it's like a well-oiled machine," Gippe said. "Within two months, everybody was clicking and they knew what the mission was. It builds a sense of camaraderie. This allows people to know what to expect from each other."

Building a sense of trust amongst the ranks and taking pride in what they do is key when it comes to maintaining a multi-million-dollar aircraft.

"The F-16 isn't just something you can throw a wrench at and call it good," said Capt. Phil Downing, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot. "It takes highly skilled and educated maintainers that truly love their job and work hard to keep those jets running.
Attention to detail is the name of the game when it comes to repairing the aircraft."

Downing noted how overlooking something as simple as leaving a fastener out of a panel may seem insignificant, but is just the opposite.

"Those fasteners can destroy a multi-million dollar jet engine. Since the F-16 has only one of them, it's important we take care of it," said Downing, who is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "The same concept goes for the bombs or radio. That bomb may be needed to save lives on the ground, and if we can't drop that bomb, or can't even talk to the guys on the ground to know what to drop that bomb on, it is a huge deal."

Gippe explained from the repairs, routine maintenance and preventative measures taken, the 451st EMXS has put 10,000 hours of flying back into the skies of Southern Afghanistan.

"In my time in the Air Force, I have never seen people turn birds around at this pace," said Gippe, who is also deployed from Shaw AFB. "It's astonishing to see what these young Airmen can do and what they bring to the fight."