'Fab' Airmen keep aircraft flying

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Publica Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  They're painters, welders, and machinists. They work around the clock to enable aircraft to fly, fight and win. The 354th Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight is responsible for the maintenance of Eielson's F-16s from the main frame down to its nuts and bolts.
The flight is broken into three sections, structural maintenance, metals technology and non-destructive inspection.

The structural maintenance section performs maintenance on external sheet metal, internal framework, composites, fiberglass and plastic, as well as tubing and cable assemblies on aircraft. The flight is partitioned into two sections: Aircraft structural maintenance and metals technology.

"We keep planes in the air making sure that they are structurally safe and can meet the demands of the pilots," said Staff Sgt. Travis McKee, 354th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman.

Within the structural maintenance shop is the corrosion control section which takes parts and removes primer, paint and rust. The parts are then repainted and returned to the flightline.

The best part of being an Aircraft Structural Airman, "When I complete a big repair," said Senior Airman Kenny Pellegrino, 354th MXS aircraft structural journeyman. "Being able to see how you brought an aircraft from what it was to what it is now. We take jets that are grounded to jets that are able to complete the mission."

The metals technology section is a combination of a welding and a machine shop. This section can make much needed aircraft parts that would either take too long to order or that are no longer manufactured.

"We can take pride in knowing that we have the ability to use our creativity and expertise to produce a top notch product for our customers. We get to see our product from print, to manufacture, and finally installation and use," said Tech. Sgt. Rogelio Castorena, metals technology section chief.

Besides repairing and reproducing aircraft parts, the flight also works with other sections on base. They have repaired aerospace ground equipment and created metal signs and static displays of aircraft.

RED FLAG-Alaska is their busiest time because the aircraft are flying so much, which causes more wear and tear on parts.

"We not only provide support to local aircraft, but also support most visiting units," said Sergeant Castorena. "This enables us to gain experience on a multitude of aircraft on how their units operate."

"Our Airmen go through on-the-job training and career development courses training but what separates us is the knowledge gained through experience," said Sergeant Castorena.