The Air Force can’t fly in support of US operations around the world if the aircraft are not mission capable. The men and women of the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Group go above and beyond, working around the clock to make sure the Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagles stay in the skies in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Airman 1st Class Joshua Anthony 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron inspection section journeyman, works on an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, June 16, 2017, in Southwest Asia. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
The phase team performs a series of inspections when the F-15Es accumulate 400, 800 and 1,200 flight hours.
“Generally we’ll receive F-15s from the aircraft maintenance unit and we break it down to almost barebones,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Burnett, the 332nd EMXS inspection section dock chief. “We inspect pretty much the guts of the aircraft, the structure and actual components. We take a solid look at them and make sure nothing is wrong.”
Like most crews in the Air Force, the phase team works closely with many other organizations to accomplish their job.
“We coordinate with eight different shops around the flightline and one of the key components is our nondestructive inspection,” he said. “That inspection is going to take a little deeper dive into the actual metal of the aircraft. You’re going to take a look at the ribs, the wing skin and other areas to find cracks that maybe the naked eye can’t see.” – US Air Forces Central Command
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