Maintaining low observable technology critical to F-22 mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Maintaining stealth capabilities for the largest contingent of the world’s deadliest fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, falls upon a unique unit at Tyndall.

The 325th Maintenance Squadron's Low Observable shop makes sure the 55 Raptors at Tyndall maintain their stealth, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect. They do this by restoring and preserving the jets low observable coating, increasing survivability of pilots and aircraft.

“Our job is to make sure the Raptor doesn’t show up on radars and that enemies can’t detect it,” said Staff Sgt. Isaac Schooler, 325th MXS low observable craftsman. “It’s a tough job, with long hours and not everybody can do it.

“We have a saying here, ‘You can’t kill what you can’t see,’ and if they can’t see [the F-22’s], we are doing our job,” Schooler added.

The LO team is part of the 325th MXS Fabrication Flight, the biggest flight at Tyndall, which has more than 150 Airmen who take care of all F-22 special coating.

Training lasts 12 to 18 months, depending on how well Airmen adapt to the process of applying the coating to the jet. This training helps the Airmen in accomplishing their unit goals.

“Our goal for the shop is to have every aircraft mission capable,” said Chief Master Sgt. Derek Conrad, 325th MXS superintendent. “We are in a hot and humid environment, which is not an environment that the LO coating likes, and that keeps Airmen busy at all times.”

During any given day, the team continually works on up to eight F-22s, each taking an average of 72 hours to restore.

Compared to where the unit was 12 months ago, they are getting much closer to their goal of having every aircraft mission capable.

“It’s a stark contrast and the utilization of resources have become more efficient,” Conrad said.  “We weren’t the well-oiled machine we are now, and we are only getting better. I think what the guys in the fabrication flight have created in LO is going to be one that other F-22 units model themselves after.

“Our LO shop is prepared at all times to help meet the 325th Fighter Wing’s mission of Air Dominance,” Conrad added. “The F-22 is a high-demand, low-density aircraft, so at any given time we are called upon for any [F-22] mission, we will be ready.”