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Egress shop gets new addition

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Members of the 325th Maintenance Group egress shop know that the work they do every day is vital to the safety of the pilots of the F-22 Raptor.

"The egress system is the last line of life for the pilot, if he's having troubles or getting shot down," said Master Sgt. Michael Knight, 325th Maintenance Squadron egress section chief. "We have to make sure everything is correct in the system so the pilot can come back safe."

The shop is in charge of the entire ejection system, which includes the ejection seat and the canopies. Maintenance and inspection are done regularly to make sure that the system is always in working order.

Unlike other shops, testing their work is not an option when it comes to the ejection seats.

"Everything we do is double and triple checked." said Sergeant Knight. "The pilot's life is in our hands."

A new addition to the shop is being built to help with the increased workload that will occur when the new fighter squadron of Raptors arrives.

"The reason why we made the extension is the increase in manning and the additional squadron of F-22s," said Jim Smiler, 325th MXG egress lead. "This will allow us to be more efficient."

The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron and the Army Corps of Engineers teamed together to build the 2000 square foot addition beginning on March 19 and are expected to compete the project by October 2012. The project also includes installing a new fire suppression sprinkler system and replacing the air and cooling unit.

The project utilized nine local companies, which created 30 jobs for individuals working over the entire time of the project.

The materials were brought in from across the Panhandle region.

"Eighty percent of the materials are within a 100 mile radius," said Mr. Marlon Kirkland, Army Corps of Engineers construction representative.

The incoming combat coded F-22 squadron is part of Tyndall's transition to Air Combat Command. The wing is expected to grow by nearly 1,000 additional personnel and includeT-38 Talon aircraft as well.