TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Behind every U.S. Air Force pilot soaring through the sky is a team of specialists maximizing their chances of survival if something goes wrong.
The 325th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment team is essential -- not only for daily sorties, but also during in-flight emergencies. Tyndall’s AFE Airmen maintain and repair life-support gear for over 50 pilots, and perform vital duties such as packing parachutes, ensuring oxygen masks are airtight and survival kits are completely stocked.
"Our primary mission is to provide safe equipment for the pilots to do their day-to-day job,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Stanforth, 325th OSS noncommissioned officer in charge of AFE. “In the event of an emergency ejection, we maintain survival kits and equipment to survive in an environment until they are picked up by rescue teams."
The team works daily behind the scenes at Tyndall, adapting to sortie schedules. Even a single delay or equipment malfunction could have serious consequences for mission success, making their attention to detail essential.
“With our installation working toward serving as a primary hub for F-35A Lightning II operations, the team’s responsibility for enabling interoperability and joint operations during our Weapons Systems Evaluations Program and Checkered Flag exercises is huge,” said Senior Airman Henry Jimenez, 325th OSS AFE journeyman. “Knowing [our team has] a direct impact on shaping the future of this installation is personally rewarding.”
Working side by side with pilots, AFE Airmen develop a sense of camaraderie and mutual trust, strengthening the bond between those who prepare the equipment and those who rely on it in flight.
"Pilots come in, they trust AFE, grab their gear and they go -- they know it's good, they know it's serviceable," said Stanforth. “Building that trust helps move our mission forward, pilots have less to worry about.”
Alongside ensuring functionality of survival components, the team provides pilots with weapons for self-protection in hostile environments. Stanforth explained overall their duties are comparable to “pre-game” preparation.
“A couple years ago, there was a pilot who ejected during an emergency,” Stanforth explained. “Knowing that he ejected with our equipment, landed safely and got back to his family was gratifying. It put it all into perspective.”
The AFE team's work extends far beyond packing parachutes or inspecting pilot gear, they work under the pressure of maximizing the safety of pilots on every mission, directly impacting the 325th Fighter Wing’s mission to provide unrivaled air combat power for America.