Aircrew Flight Equipment checks out

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 19th Fighter Squadron's Aircrew Flight Equipment Airmen remain diligently at work on their job while preparing for reassignment.

In September, the 19th Fighter Squadron will be deactivated and its members reassigned to different units.

For Aircrew Flight Equipment Airmen this means reviewing inventory and preparing for their next assignments. It's an Aircrew Flight Equipment specialist's job to ensure the safety of pilots while they perform their missions.

"I inspect the pilot's equipment, everything from the helmet to the G-suit," said Airman 1st Class Jill Brumley, 19th Fighter Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment specialist.

With Airman Brumley's job any small error could mean a pilot's life, so she takes extreme caution while ensuring her job is done properly.

Airman Brumley said the best part of her job is the knowledge that she's keeping the pilots safe, but inflating G-suits and testing Night Vision Goggles is always fun.

Airman Brumley went on to explain how she tests G-suits and their purpose.

"G-suits provide protection against G-forces, because when you pull G's all the blood in your body rushes to one part and the G-suit will inflate to counteract it," Airman Brumley said.

To test the G-suits, Aircrew Flight Equipment specialists inflate them to their max PSI.

"We test to make sure there are no holes in them and make sure when pilots pull up to their max amount of G's that they're good to go," said Airman Brumley.

Although the atmosphere around the 19th FS is one of hard work and determination the thought of the upcoming deactivation is present on all of the member's minds.

"We're going to be separated into separate squadrons," said Airman Brumley.

It's a hard thing to think about but it's all about the core values. Integrity first in getting our job done, service before self by knowing even though we may not want leave this squadron we'll do what's asked and excellence in all we do by doing whatever we're tasked to do right, Airman Brumley said.
"If I had to choose though, I'd like to go back to the 90th Fighter Squadron."

Although some may have spent more time in the 19th FS than others, many share Airman Brumley's feelings.

"I wish the 19th Fighter Squadron wasn't closing because I'm going to miss the people - the pilots and other maintainers are really great," said Aircrew Flight Equipment journeyman, Senior Airman Kenny Moylan of the 19th Fighter Squadron.

Even as they prepare to leave the 19th FS everyone from the Aircrew Flight Equipment section will take with them everything they've learned while working at the squadron.

"I have a 100 percent pride in my job because if I mess up, it's someone's life," said Airman Moylan.