Susskind poses for a photo

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, poses for a photo at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. Susskind describes the hardest aspect of his job as knowing, “You can get in a lot of trouble, [which is] probably the most stressful part of the job. Just knowing if you mess up on the slightest thing you could potentially kill somebody or [you could] cost the military millions of dollars.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind poses for a photo

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, installs a mount link onto a turbine frame at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. As an aerospace propulsion specialist, Susskind ensures engines are in first-rate operational condition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind installs a mount

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, installs a mount link onto a turbine frame at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. At any given time Susskind can have up to two engines to work on. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind installs a mount

Aerospace propulsions, also known as props, Airmen with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on F-16 Fight Falcon jet engines at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. The daily job of a props Airman can consist of diagnosing engine problems (including the fuel, oil, electrical and engine airflow systems), removing defective components and installing serviceable machinery as well as performing test runs on repaired engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind installs a mount

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, installs a mount link onto a turbine frame at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. Susskind’s daily job consists of diagnosing engine problems (including the fuel, oil, electrical and engine airflow systems), removing defective components and installing serviceable machinery as well as performing test runs on repaired engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind installs a mount

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, uses a speed handle to tighten a bolt on a turbine frame at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. The turbine directs airflow out of the combustion chamber as well as provides axial support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Susskind displays his hands

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, an aerospace propulsion journeyman with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, displays the grease on his hands at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2015. After a long day’s work, Susskind’s hands have an excess build-up of grease due to working on multiple components of an F-16 Fighting Falcon’s engine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

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Maintenance: Propelling pilots forward

Published Jan. 25, 2016
By Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Fighter jets take to the skies 24/7. There's always a pilot in the air to be seen, but the mechanics behind the jets stay behind closed doors.

Senior Airman Tyler Susskind, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, may be behind the scenes, but his complex job leaves no room for error.

Susskind's daily job consists of diagnosing engine problems (including the fuel, oil, electrical and engine airflow systems), removing defective components and installing serviceable machinery as well as performing test runs on repaired engines.

Susskind poses for a photo

Susskind poses for a photo

Susskind installs a mount

Susskind installs a mount

Susskind installs a mount

Susskind installs a mount

Susskind displays his hands