Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska --
Raptor maintainers are skilled aircraft mechanics who continually seek information in order to keep the pilots safe and the aircraft aiming high. Maintainers from the 477th Fighter Group were busy flying sorties and training with mission partners during the September unit training assembly, keeping their F-22 knowledge current.
"A crew chief’s continued education is fundamentally important for air dominance," said Technical Sgt. Vincent, Delao. "It is imperative to maintain current information to stay ahead in this ever-changing technological world.”
The Pratt and Whitney Maintenance Awareness class is an annual event that gathers all the maintainers together and arms them with information on critical inspection items or failure components that are trending high. It is an attempt to make failed components quickly recognizable to the maintainers, which in return, decreases the trends.
“The meeting was great, it gave us some updated info and answered questions that we normally would not have asked," said Delao. "I believe these meetings are good for our unit as a whole, giving traditional reservists insight on what they normally would not see or hear, and giving air reserve technicians the ability to up-channel new issues or concerns."
Aircraft missions are more successful with additional training, attention to detail and updated part designs when needed.
“Informing maintainers and addressing problem areas on the aircraft decrease the average time maintenance takes to address component issues or even engine repair,” said Technical Sgt. Robert Breher who works in the 477th Fight Group Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “Giving the maintainers additional information only makes them better mechanics who know all aspects of their job."
This class allows the technicians a chance to meet not only P&W engineers, but also the Tinker Engineer and Equipment Specialist team, which is a large part of the production team, increasing the technician's networking points of contact. The class also allows members to directly interact with experts and give input on alternate repair suggestions face-to-face while getting the team’s input on the new ideas.
Air Force Technical Sgt. Bobby Breher, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, focuses on an F-22 Raptor briefing on current changes in the maintainer's related field Sept. 11, 2016 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (USAF Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Campbell)
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“The class informs the technicians on future replacement part improvements (part design) that will, in-fact, increase effective aircraft maintenance and total asset productivity," Breher.
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Air Force Airmen from the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintain proficiency on the F-22 Raptor with briefs on current changes in the maintainers related fields from Air Force partners Pratt & Whitney, equipment specialist and engineers Sept 11, 2016 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. (USAF Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Campbell)
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Continuing to gather up-to-date information as a maintainer on the F-22 Raptor is a never-ending undertaking. The experience aviation technology experts bring into F-22 Raptor world is a combination that saves Air Force time and money while increasing mission effectiveness.