Fuel systems repair essential to flying

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson's aircraft fuel systems repair section's mission is to support fuel systems and components maintenance, diagnosing and repairing everything that supplies fuel to the engine. 

Airmen assigned to aircraft fuel systems maintenance are part of the 354th Maintenance Squadron's Accessories flight and contribute to flying mission here. 

"Our Airmen allow pilots to stay in the air and focus on their job at hand, keeping them from worrying about anything fuel related, besides how much they have on board," said Master Sgt. Michael Runyon, aircraft fuel systems repair section chief. 

Airmen attend six and a half weeks of technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and then undergo approximately two years of on-the-job training at their first duty station to become proficient. 

"It's good to have the guys that have been doing the job longer mentor and help diagnose problems that new Airmen might have trouble catching," said Airman Melba Taveras, aircraft fuel systems repair apprentice. "They have most likely come across the same problem and can help troubleshoot as well as explain how they found it." 

The fuel system repair Airmen regularly take part in a phase dock. During a phase dock, their teams take the fuel panels off of the F-16 and inspect the hydraulic and fuel lines for cracks or any other damage that could affect an aircraft's ability to fly properly. They then put the aircraft back together in just a few days, making it mission ready as soon as possible. 

Aircraft fuel systems repair are also one of the agencies who respond when there are in-flight emergencies and fuel system malfunctions. Any time an F-16 is in the air, a three-man hydrazine response team is on stand-by. They are the only Airmen authorized to handle hydrazine for maintenance or clean-up purposes. 

Hydrazine is a toxic chemical used in F-16s to fuel the emergency power unit, which is automatically activated during an engine failure. Hydrazine allows the pilot to maintain control and safely land the jet. 

During Red Flag-Alaska exercises, the section's mission is to support the Aggressors and assist temporary duty maintenance teams. It's important for everyone to do their part and ensure the aircraft get back in the air and return to training. 

"We have a direct impact on mission success as probably 80 percent of fuel systems repair is unscheduled maintenance," said Sergeant Runyon. "Our Airmen are ready to respond at a moment's notice."