Electronic maintainers spark RF-A Published April 21, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Maintainers that work on aircraft are met with a variety of tasks that ensure planes are capable of flying missions. Electrical maintainers focus on the electrical functions of the aircraft to keep them flying. Without electric components, planes that once soared through the skies would become large paperweights on the ground. At Eielson there are multiple jobs that require the expertise of electrical maintenance Airmen. These tasks include maintaining the electrical portion of the aircraft, servicing carts and batteries, and also performing the electrical and environmental portion of aircraft inspections every 300 hours to ensure operational integrity. Airmen from the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electric and environmental flight use carts of liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, gaseous oxygen and nitrogen to sustain vital functions on the aircraft. While the only purpose of oxygen is to provide breathable air for the pilots, nitrogen has multiple purposes including pressurizing the tires for landing and maintaining generators. According to Tech. Sgt. Brian Fox, 354th AMXS electric and environmental flight specialist expeditor, without oxygen on the plane the pilots would not be able to breathe while performing at high altitudes, and if generators have no power, the plane has no power. Airmen of the 354th AMXS electric and environmental flight also service three different styles of batteries, maintain wiring, and troubleshoot electrical issues on aircraft. "It is critical that the systems work properly to make sure the pilot is safe. In an aircraft, all the parts have to work or the plane doesn't fly," said Sergeant Fox. Electrical systems are vital aspects of the F-16 Fighting Falcons for training missions during RED FLAG-Alaska or daily missions flown out of Eielson. These parts enable a pilot in distress to make it safely to the ground in the event of a system failure. The Airmen maintain electrical systems year-round so when it is time to use the equipment it will perform at its best. This is a critical capability that all pilots, whether assigned here or visiting for RF-A, rely on heavily. "[Eielson's] mission is to train pilots to dogfight, we also support every visiting base, so we must be ready," said Tech. Sgt. Olivia Bloom, 354th AMXS electric and environmental flight maintainer. "There are a large amount of parts to work with. The dangers [working with liquid oxygen and nitrogen] are extreme, but the job we do is completely essential for flying the aircraft," said Sergeant Bloom. All the aircraft that arrive at Eielson for RF-A depend on our equipment if they cannot bring their own. Most of the time units arrive with their own equipment and utilize base facilities to work on their aircraft. As hosts of RF-A, the wing is ready to assist units to get the planes flying to participate in training and prepare them for missions of their own. The job electrical maintainers perform is critical to the success of daily missions and RF-A to keep pilots trained and ready to fly, fight and win.