No glory behind the scenes, but maintainers are crucial

[unhappycamper]

Senior Airman Terry Anderson, 20, from Littleton, Colo., post-flights an F-15 “Eagle” after a training mission last May at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania.


No glory behind the scenes, but maintainers are crucial
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, April 6, 2008

Pilots still seem to get most of the attention and glory. But as airframes get older, the work of those who turn wrenches and keep the aircraft in good repair gets more important. And receives more attention.

Not that they’ll likely end up in the spotlight.

“No,” said Tech. Sgt. Steven Browne of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, on the likelihood he’ll be portrayed in a movie anytime soon. “It’s more of a backstage or behind-the-scenes kind of thing. We’ll let the pilots get all the glory.”

Pilots these days are more than willing to spread some of the glory around, though.

A coupl of pilots assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy said they don’t fear for their safety because of the age and flying hours put on the F-16s they fly. They credit their counterparts in maintenance for that confidence.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53865



uhc comment: Third article in a row talking about 'old' aircraft. These guys are giving the Navy a run for their money.