Staff Sgt. Casey Durham replaces the trailing edge of a flap from the KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. When the flaps are damaged or need replaced, a new trailing edge will be drilled and installed for pivot installation. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham replaces the trailing edge of a flap from the KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. When the flaps are damaged or need replaced, a new trailing edge is drilled and installed for pivot installation. As an aircraft structural craftsman, Durham evaluates damage and corrosion of the tanker and repairs it. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham uses a cornace break to fabricate an extrusion at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. The cornace break bends the metal to 90 degrees to increase structural integrity of the piece. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham uses a foot shear to trim excess material from an extrusion for final shaping at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. Part of Durham’s day-to-day work is accomplishing a full inspection of the tanker for preventative maintenance, evaluate damage and corrosion on the aircraft and paint and place decals. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham uses a lever shear to trim excess material that wasn’t able to be removed by the foot shear at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. Part of Durham’s day-to- day work is accomplishing a full inspection of the tanker for preventative maintenance, evaluate damage and corrosion on the aircraft and paint and place decals. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham uses a shrink and stretch machine to bend the extrusion to the final contour size at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. The machine is used to bend metal to the correct size by shrinking it or stretching it. Part of Durham’s day- to-day work is doing a full inspection of the tanker for preventative maintenance, evaluate damage and corrosion on the aircraft and paint and place decals. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Staff Sgt. Casey Durham saws down a piece of metal to the correct size and texture at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 20, 2014. Part of Durham’s day-to-day work is doing a full inspection of the tanker for preventative maintenance, evaluate damage and corrosion on the aircraft and paint and place decals. Durham is an aircraft structural craftsman from the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

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Structural maintainers keep jets flying

Published Aug. 22, 2014