Special tactics AFE maintains lifesaving equipment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  When it comes to freefalling from an MC-130J Commando II, the last thing a Special Tactics Airman wants to think about is whether or not his parachute will deploy when he needs it to.

With the lives of other Airmen in their hands, 321st Special Tactics Squadron aircrew flight equipment shop takes the responsibility of maintaining lifesaving equipment seriously. Taking the first Special Operations Forces Truth, "Humans are more important than hardware," into account, they make sure their fellow Airmen are safe, because any mistakes could mean losing a life and jeopardizing the mission.

Packing parachutes, maintaining high-altitude masks and ensuring oxygen tanks are ready for use at a moment's notice are only a few of the shop's focuses.

"We deal with pilot gear, oxygen and any aircrew flight equipment that crews need," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Adams, 321st STS AFE craftsman from Fort Smith, Arkansas.

"Anything that has to do with lifesaving equipment is our sole purpose," said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Phillip Gibbs, 321st STS AFE NCO in charge from New York City. "From the clothing and masks they wear to the parachutes they jump with - even the weapons they use - we modify most of their equipment."

The members of the shop take pride in their work, guaranteeing each piece of equipment is mission ready and capable of fulfilling its purpose. Each piece of gear has a series of tests run on it before it is deemed ready for operational use. These range from ensuring a parachute's rigging is completed perfectly to pressure-testing high altitude oxygen masks for leaks and proper flow of air.

"Checks are set in place to avoid any malfunctions," Adams said. "Parachutes get quality checked, and after they are packed up it gets another set of eyes on it to inspect the outside. Parachutes get three or four checks before they are actually (used for jumping). Every piece of equipment we work on has a guideline that you have to follow word for word."

In a squadron with flying operations, an AFE shop is vital. Without it, virtually all flying missions would be unable to operate.

"The AFE section of the 321st STS plays a vital role in our overall mission accomplishment," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Rodger Jennrich, 321st STS commander. "The work that they do can literally mean life or death for our operators.

"When one of our operators leaves an aircraft from 1,000 feet all the way to 25,000 feet, he knows his parachute is going to open, and in the event the main fails, he knows that his reserve 'chute' packed by our AFE section will save his life," Jennrich continued.

One of the advantages of working in a Special Tactics AFE shop rather than a standard flying squadron is the ability for parachute riggers to see the impact they make on the mission first hand.

"The opportunity to work in Special Tactics has been the highlight of my career," Adams explained. "In the traditional career field - like in a back shop - you don't normally get to see your equipment being used; our equipment is used on a daily basis."

Beyond seeing their hard work put to use, their job is made more personalized by working closely with the operators who utilize what they maintain.

"We know the guys who are about to jump with our parachutes, so it means a lot more," Adams added.

This camaraderie forges bonds between the operational and support sides of the unit, increasing interoperability and cohesion, aiding in a smoother mission completion.

"It is safe to say the men and women of the 321st STS AFE are valuable team members that give us an advantage over our enemies," Jennrich said.