A pilots' invisible guardian angel

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenna Jackson
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Ejecting from an aircraft and facing the terrain or vast ocean alone before search and rescue teams arrive is one of a 35th Fighter Wing' s pilot's worst fears. In that type of an emergency situation, pilots rely on their training and the 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technicians - their invisible guardian angel.

"No one plans for a pilot to get in a situation where he has to eject from his jet, but when he does, we're his last line of defense," said Senior Airman Courtney Maleport, 35 OSS aircrew flight equipment technician.

For aircrew flight equipment technicians here, 'perfection' is a word they all know well. One unchecked parachute or an overlooked oxygen mask could mean the end of a pilot's life.

Airmen in this career field are responsible for function checking helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes, floatation devices, survival kits, night vision goggles, anti-exposure suits and respiratory protective equipment. Not only do they test every piece of equipment pilots use during flight or in an emergency situation, they maintain and inspect them regularly.

"Our job entails inspecting, issuing and maintaining all of the gear the pilots use to fly," said Maleport. "We can't mess up in our job, because if we do, people can die."

Airman 1st Class Robert McClung, 35 OSS aircrew flight equipment technician, explained there will be time in between recovery when a pilot ejects and when a rescue team finally arrives. During that time - whether on land or in water - the pilot must survive on his own, which is where the technician's job comes in.

"We pack their survival kits, we make sure their equipment is operational, we are the ones that they rely on. Even though we are not there, we are saving their lives," said McClung.

Airmen certified for this job spend three months in technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and although they become confident in their skills, the burden of keeping pilots alive can be stressful, said Maleport.

"When I first found out what this job was, I cried because I was so nervous," said Maleport. "I was constantly worried, 'What if a pilot ejects, and I did something wrong?'"

However, since Maleport has been doing this job for three years, she said she doesn't get nervous anymore, but she would still get really antsy if one of her pilots would eject.

"It doesn't get easier over time," said Maleport. "There are always those surprises that we have to deal with, but it keeps me on my toes."

According to Maleport, the job is also made easier with communication, trust and confidence among the technicians and pilots.

"Good communication ensures that everything runs smoothly, there are no delays to a pilot's schedule and there is order within the shop."

Trust and confidence are also key components to doing the job right, Maleport added.

"We can't say 'I don't know what I'm doing' in this career field. Pilots need to be able to trust us and feel confident that we know what we are doing," she said. "Pilots have to trust that we will not let them leave with gear that does not work. We won't let them leave with gear that will not save their lives when they are in an emergency situation."

Aside from the stress, McClung said he finds doing his job very rewarding.

"It's nice knowing that if a pilot has to eject or a plane goes down, your name is on that emergency equipment. You saved a person's life," said McClung.

"At the end of the day, it's all about saving peoples' lives. It's why we do this job," added Maleport.