Starting Raptor engines preps maintainers for operation runs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In the stillness of the early morning, an F-22 Raptor sits quietly, as a group of Airmen prepare the jet. Then, the silence is broken with sounds and vibrations of unrivaled combat air power.

"The F-22 is a symbol of global air dominance," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Blauzdis, 325th Maintenance Group F-22 engine run instructor. "Without properly trained technicians to maintain them, there is no mission. We pride ourselves in unrivaled training for our maintenance personnel to continue producing training sorties and to put combat-ready aircraft into the fight."

While tethered down, the F-22 is powered to full after burn, and students run it through operations, to qualify personnel for F-22 engine operational runs.

"This training is for the F-22 Engine run," Blauzdis said. "Some of the prerequisites for this training are inlet and exhaust certification, six months working on the airframe and additionally being recommended by their supervision. "

Training and qualification comes in different phases, both academic and hands-on application.

"We do three phases of training," said Blauzdis. "Phase one is their academic session in a classroom. Phase two is simulator certification on general procedures of the aircraft and emergency procedures. Phase three is the Airman's final certifications in an actual F-22 burner run."

There is one class a month. In conjunction to the initial class, individuals who are engine run qualified are required to complete written tests semi-annually with the Maintenance Training Section, an annual written test and simulator evaluation with the MTS and our Air Force Engineering and Technical Service certifier, Blauzdis added.

The purpose of the training, instructed by both enlisted and contractors, is to produce qualified maintainers to ensure all operating systems of the F-22 run as designed.

"We at the MTS, administer the instructional portions of the class and are the office of primary responsibility for all tests regarding F-22 engine runs," Blauzdis said. "We then work hand-in-hand with our AFETS civilian certifier during the simulator and the burner run. In order to do certain operational checks of the aircraft you need to have all the systems operating as if the aircraft was flying."

Without properly trained personnel to run the aircraft, Airmen will not be able to trouble shoot or operations check installed components, Blauzdis added.
As Tyndall continues its mission to project unrivaled air power with the F-22, training will be at the forefront of readiness.

"It was my first time running the aircraft and first time with a burner run," said Senior Airman Aaron John, 325th Maintenance Squadron airborne avionics technician. "I have sat in the seat before but never with the engine running. It was pretty exciting and something I have always wanted to do."