Maintainers go 'old school' for F-35 training day

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Karl Stenske
  • 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Maintainers from the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron went "old school" on the Air Force's most technically advanced fighter jet fighter during a training day March 4.

The "old school" maintenance involved opening up an F-35 Lightning II to get some practical training for the technicians who are the backbone of its flight operations at the 33rd Fighter Wing. The concept is a throwback to legacy aircraft maintenance practices. On older airframes, the majority of the tasks have been performed countless times. To perform training, a maintainer only required an aircraft, a tool box, and some directions.

With the F-35 program in its infancy, tasks are constantly being verified and validated, according to Senior Master Sgt. Jason Sells, 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant superintendent.

"This was our day to get hands-on training on out-of-the-norm tasks we do infrequently," he said. "It increased the qualification for all our maintainers across the board."

Sells spearheaded the training day, coordinating the tasks with the three maintenance sections in the 58th AMU. He said the one-day training event was an important step in creating proficiency.

Maintainers trained on tasks such as removal and installation of components, operation of the engine, and maintenance documentation. Sells said proficiency not only has local implications, but far-reaching effects as well.

"This is the most in depth training day I have been a part of in my time in the Air Force," Sells said. "As we go along, we will continue to learn more."

The idea to reach back to past training practices came from 33rd AMXS commander, Maj. Maurice Lee, who's had maintenance experience with the F-15E, CV-22 and B-2.

"Training is an integral part of sustaining any weapons system, and, in some cases, can be an area that is under stressed," said Lee. "By allowing the maintenance personnel to break into the aircraft, it reinforces training previously received, either at the F-35 Academic Training Center or on the job."

Although the event was a success, it didn't happen overnight, or without any glitches. Sells said he worked with section training monitors over a two-month period to come up with appropriate tasks.

"We trained up the new guys on things they needed to do," said Staff Sgt. David Kessler, an avionics specialist with the 58th AMU. "The training day allowed personnel who were less experienced in flightline aircraft maintenance practices to get some good hands-on training."

On older aircraft, training is an event or opportunity driven.

"The result is we will have more people qualified," Lee said. "It will create better instructors and make our people more efficient and safer. This will directly correlate to increased maintenance effectiveness."

As virtual "state of the art" training evolves at the F-35 Academic Training Center classroom environment, the "old school" ways can be conducted on the flightline. The two training environments at the 33rd FW can communicate with each other to enhance skills for the next generation of maintainers for all military services and international partners.