56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintains Flight

  • Published
  • By Deborah Marie Gibson
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Without the professionals from the 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the wheels of Luke's F-16s would never lift off the runway. Maintainers of the 56th AMXS ensure safe mission readiness for more than 100 jets used to train the world's finest F-16 pilots. The squadron also trains mission ready Airmen by providing maintainers with advanced training after technical school.

They work long hours on the flight line and endure Arizona's record breaking
temperatures to help generate more than 20,000 sorties a year.

These Thunderbolts "play a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient training for fighter pilots and mission ready Airmen," said Lt. Col. Fredrick Plaumann, 56th AMXS commander.

The 56th AMXS is the largest aircraft maintenance squadron in the Air Force. The squadron is divided into five aircraft maintenance units to support their associate fighter squadrons: the 21st AMU "Gamblers," 61st AMU "Top Dogs," 62nd AMU "Spikes," 309th AMU "Wild Ducks," and 425th AMU "Black Widows."

It takes many professionals working together to ensure Luke's F-16s are ready for take off. Along with squadron leaders, managers and supervisors, the 56th AMXS has specialists from five career fields that troubleshoot, repair and maintain F-16 systems. These maintainers adhere to Air Force maintenance guidelines and are expected to quickly yet flawlessly maintain and repair F-16s.

Avionics maintenance specialists perform inspections and repairs on communications, weapons control, navigation and flight control systems to ensure F-16s are able to perform their multi-role capabilities.

Weapons maintenance specialists "configure the aircraft by installing or removing pylons, dispensers, and launchers (and associated munitions) to match mission requirements to provide student pilots with realistic training," said Master Sgt. Todd Enderle, 309th AMU Weapons Flight chief. "Without weapons it would be just another airline."

Tactical aircraft maintenance specialists, known as crew chiefs, "perform end of runway, post flight, preflight, thru-flight and phase inspections on F-16s," said Master Sgt. Eric Munson, 62nd AMU Tactical Air Maintenance Flight chief. "Crew chiefs also review F-16 maintenance forms, aircraft records and historical reports to ensure accurate documentation."

Electrical and environmental maintenance specialists ensure proper working order of F-16s electrical and environmental systems such as oxygen, heating, air conditioning, cabin pressurization, are extinguishing systems, landing gear and brakes, said Tech. Sgt. Mark Aube, 309th AMU electrical and environmental technician.

Propulsion systems technicians, known as engines maintenance specialists, ensure the engine is operating safely and efficiently. These technicians are often required to replace engine components or remove the engine completely.

"The men and women of the 56th AMXS often work extended shifts and return to work the next day without complaint, to ensure Luke fullfills its mission," said Sergeant Munson. They are dedicated individuals who are positively impacting our nation's forces by providing student pilots with safe and reliable F-16s."