Fairchild NCO supports aircraft structural maintenance in Kyrgyzstan; earns 'Warrior of the Week'

Published Sept. 1, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Tech. Sgt. Harold Layne is an aircraft structural maintenance craftsman deployed to the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

Sergeant Layne is deployed from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. His hometown is Cincinnati, Ohio.

As an aircraft structural maintenance craftsman with the 376th EAMXS, Sergeant Layne helps maintain aircraft deployed to his location through designing, repairing, modifying and fabricating aircraft, metal, plastic, composite, advanced composite, low observables and bonded structural parts and components, his official Air Force job description shows.

Aircraft structural maintenance Airmen like Sergeant Layne are trained to assemble structural parts and components to meet requirements for preserving structural integrity and low observable qualities, the job description states. They also assess damage to aircraft structural components and low observable coatings and advise on structural and low observable repair, modification and corrosion protection treatment with respect to original strength, weight and contour to maintain structural and low observable integrity.

Sergeant Layne is also trained to ensure aircraft component balance is maintained and assembles repairs using special fasteners and adhesives while also checking repairs for serviceability according to specifications and technical publications. He can manufacture jigs, fixtures, forms and molds, and can paint aircraft and support equipment.

Aircraft structural maintenance Airmen use metal-working equipment and tools to form, cut, bend and fasten replacement or repair parts to damaged structures and components, according to the job description. They fabricate, repair and assemble tubing and cable assemblies for aerospace weapon systems and support equipment. They also maintain and inspect tools and equipment, perform operator maintenance and service inspections on shop equipment and tools, and ensure lock-out and tag-out procedures are accomplished prior to performing shop equipment maintenance.

Furthermore, aircraft structural maintenance Airmen like Sergeant Layne inspect structures and components and determine operational status. They interpret inspection findings and determine corrective action adequacy, post entries and maintain maintenance and inspection records, and recommend methods to improve equipment performance and maintenance procedures.

To do his job both at home station and while deployed, aircraft structural maintenance Airmen like Sergeant Layne have to maintain mandatory job knowledge in a variety of areas. They include aircraft construction features, identification and characteristics of aerospace materials; repair of metal, tubing, cable, plastic, fiberglass, bonded honeycomb and composite structural components; shop drawing and sheet metal layout techniques; shop mathematics and corrosion identification, removal, repair and prevention. They also have to know about cleaning of metals; application of protective coatings, low observable materials and markings; proper use, mixing and storage of acids, solvents, alcohol, caustics, primers and paints; and proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste and materials.

Sergeant Layne was recognized by his deployed leadership when he was named the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing "Warrior of the Week" for the last week of August 2010.

The Transit Center at Manas has four missions -- air refueling, airlift, onward movement of troops and humanitarian assistance, according to the 376th AEW web page. They do this with the help of 850 military members and 750 U.S. and host nation civilian employees and contractors.