JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Stealth technology has been in development for decades, dating back to the 1950’s, but the words still evoke images sci-fi movies and futuristic civilizations. The reality for JBER is stealth systems are part of our everyday mission, where more than 130 Airman including active duty, Reserve and civilian members, work around the clock to ensure more than 40 F-22 Raptors belonging to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson maintain their low observable profile.
Low observable is more commonly termed stealth, which describes the capability of the Raptor jet fighter, among others, to minimize radar detection. Low observable aircraft structural maintenance members design, fabricate and modify the unique metals, plastics, paint, composite and bonded materials that create the stealth effect.
While it may look like arts and crafts with templates and paint, in reality LO operations are camouflage for the science nerds according to Senior Master Sgt. Travis Schlapbach, 477th Maintenance Squadron reserve section chief of the low observable flight here.
“The execution of the tasks is not difficult, but as you dig into the weeds of what it is we’re actually dealing with: electromagnetic engineering, structural systems and so many technical aspects that dictate what we do, LO is incredible,” said Schlapbach. “It really is rocket science.”
Despite its daunting job description LO attracts Airmen from all walks of life. Airman First Class Nathan Abuan, the most recent reservist to join the JBER LO flight, was here Saturday during his first 477th Fighter Group unit training assembly.
“To be honest, I became interested in the Air Force because of a banner in a coffee shop,” said Abuan who is an architect working at an architectural engineering firm in Anchorage. “I was enticed by the aircraft [F-22] but it was almost like a joke. When I told my girlfriend at the time she laughed. But I went to see a recruiter and the next thing you know I found myself in basic military training at Lackland.”
Abuan, who arrived in Alaska from the Philippians more than 15 years ago, was looking for something different, a break in the routine. When he read the LO job description, he said it seemed to fit. He hopes the experience he gains with the 477th will make him a competitive candidate for an aeronautics firm in the civilian sector as well.
“Architecture and LO are totally different, but the technicalities of the two are similar,” said Abuan. “It’s the difference between the structure of a building and the structure of an aircraft.”
Those who have been members of the unit for longer, like Staff Sgt. Ryan Weeks, say it’s more than just job satisfaction that keeps him motivated in the LO flight. “I enjoy doing what I do, and I like having a full-time job that lets me be here in Alaska,” said Weeks, who worked as a traditional reservist for years before being offered a full time reserve technician position in the unit. “The templates and the hands on work come easily to me, but the best part is the opportunity to make new friends with my co-workers and spending time with them off-duty.”
As with most jobs in the Air Force, the Airmen take the off-duty time when and wherever they get it because mission schedules are demanding. With LO in particular, mission sorties hinge on efficient job completion.
“LO is a lot of touch work,” said Schlapbach. “You get the feel for the pieces and for the spray gun and equipment. But the details take time.”
It is no secret that JBER jets are busy, and the high ops tempo here leads to a heavy workload behind the scenes. The LO flight is no exception, sometimes handling up to 100 LO issues at once. With long cure times and technical specifications that pull the jets out of commission, the LO flight maintains 24-hour operations to keep the mission on track.