AFE parachutes preserve, prolong pilots' safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  At a moment's notice, a pilot could go from flying high to making a last-second decision: pulling the handle on their seat to eject -- a last resort if all else fails.

When Airmen from the 354th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment section put their stamp of approval on an emergency parachute, pilots are able to dedicate their entire focus on the task at hand.

"We're here just in case anything goes wrong," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Edwards, 354th OSS aircrew flight equipment craftsman and floor chief. "We facilitate the mission by making sure that when these guys get in the jet, they do their maneuvers and their dog fighting and their war scenarios, [and] if anything were to happen they would be able to get to their family safely and alive."

A pilot's safety depends on parachute systems like the Advanced Concept Ejection Seat II parachute as well the drogue parachute, which connects to the back of the seat. These open in stages to prevent any injury or harm to the pilot.

Each parachute is carefully inspected, pulled out of its pack and checked from top to bottom, said Edwards. Inspections of this type include every square inch of the canopy to make sure there is not even the smallest pinhole.

"It's all about safety," Edwards said. "Everything is checked by somebody and checked again by somebody else. It's always two people."

Airmen can take as long as 8 hours during an inspection to look for imperfections and damage, which would hinder the parachute from deployment if engaged.

Parachute inspections are critical due to the level of responsibility an individual has in making sure the chute does exactly what it is supposed to do every time, said Airman 1st Class Ryan Pennington, 354th OSS aircrew flight equipment apprentice.

Although the hope is that pilots will never have to eject from their aircraft, recovery parachutes like the ACES II and the drogue must operate flawlessly each time, and the Airmen of 354th OSS aircrew flight equipment section are there to ensure they do.

"No mistakes are made here," said Edwards.