EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- When RED FLAG-Alaska comes to Eielson Air Force Base, so does a large volume of additional aircraft. The 354th Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight is responsible for keeping those aircraft components good as new until it is time for takeoff.
The AGE flights primary responsibility is to support aircraft with the required ground support equipment.
"We want to make sure RED FLAG-Alaska has what it needs to get the mission done," says Staff Sgt. Tony Winkler, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Aerospace Ground Equipment Duty specialist. "Essentially we provide equipment that emulates certain parts of an aircraft, that way it stays fresh on the flightline while it is waiting to take off."
AGE is broken down into three main sections. The first section, scheduled inspections, is where maintainers perform routine periodic inspections on all AGE equipment. Second, production support controls resources and equipment not found in standard tool boxes. And lastly, dispatch performs their job on the flight line servicing, delivering and picking equipment up.
AGE has the same mission during RF-A as it does when no exercises are being preformed. The difference is in the allocation of manpower.
"During Red Flag, the airmen in the dispatch section feel the most pressure, requiring the other sections to provide their support," said Airman Christian Pierce, 354th Maintenance Squadron, AGE duty specialist. "We have to stay nearly 100 percent fully mission capable to provide the best possible support to the units that are on temporary duty to Eielson."
Manpower is not the only challenge that the AGE flight overcomes during RED FLAG-Alaska; arctic temperatures, blowing snow and continuous darkness are just a few other challenges that the AGE flight is accustomed to overcoming.
"The Red Flag during October is particularly challenging for the AGE flight because a lot of extra time is spent de-icing and protecting equipment from the sub-zero conditions," Sergeant Winkler said. "Our Airmen make the best of the situation though, they know what they need to do to get the job done on time, every time."
"You just have to prepare yourself," added Airman Pierce when asked how to cope with the added responsibilities generated by RED FLAG-Alaska.
"If you train for the worst case scenario, nothing will surprise you," he said.
The AGE flight is no stranger to adaptability, they constantly have to improvise and make instant fixes or adjustments on equipment. Sudden changes in equipment requests, unexpected failures or breaks, and discoveries of more serious problems during a routine inspection are all situations with no foresight possible that the Airmen at AGE have learned to take in stride.
RF-A puts a lot of additional stress on most units around base, however as long as Airmen are flexible and mission oriented challenges should be overcome without problem. With less than two dozen Airmen, the AGE flight ensures that a whole fighter wing and those here for RF-A are ready to go at 50 below!