Aircraft maintainers are working day and night during Red Flag 11-2, so pilots can fly the missions needed to prepare for aerial combat, but not only aircrew members benefit from the Red Flag experience.
The high-tempo mission requirements of Red Flag provide maintainers an environment that realistically emulates a combat deployment.
“The tempo here is higher because it is just like a deployed location,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Bommer, a 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instruments and flight control systems craftsman. “At home station, you have all the time you need to get it fixed — here you have to get it right the first time, safely.”
Being in a large force exercise like Red Flag has added benefits for young Airmen who have not yet deployed, such as Airman 1st Class Jacob Rial, a 28th AMXS electronic warfare specialist.
“Since I’ve never been deployed before, this is the closest thing I get until I do deploy,” Airman Rial said.
He said he believes the ability to see warfare systems in action, and fix problems that arise, is one of the biggest benefits to this training because of the confidence it builds.
However, keeping the warfare systems and aircraft ready to fight often requires the maintenance units to work together as a team.
“We just showed up with planes and bodies, (the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) provided all other support including tools, equipment and a place to work,” said Master Sgt. Nolan Guillot, a 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production supervisor.
The 57th AMXS is providing support to Sergeant Guillot’s unit during Red Flag 11-2. However, the relationship is symbiotic because the two units are working together to accomplish shared goals throughout the exercise, said Senior Master Sgt. Ben Carson, the 57th AMXS lead production superintendent.
“The guys out there are the ones that make it happen every single day,” Sergeant Carson said. “Airmen out there are just busting their humps in the hot, the cold, the rain and even sometimes snow — we’re out there 24/7.”
