CMS: Little things add up in big way

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Hensley
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In order for the F-16 Fighting Falcon to fly at Luke Air Force Base, the Viper needs assistance from behind closed doors. This is where the 56th Component Maintenance Squadron comes in.

The 56th CMS is composed of several sections including propulsion, precision measurement equipment laboratory, accessories, avionics, hydraulics, electro environmental systems, fuels and egress.

The 56th CMS mission is to produce the finest aircraft maintainers while improving aircraft availability.

"We more than enable the wing's mission to be accomplished through the work we do," said Staff Sgt. Andrea Caldwell, 56th CMS production supervisor.

CMS has a critical role in the wing's mission to train the world's greatest F-16 pilots.

For example, Senior Airman Donald Area, 56th CMS PMEL journeyman, works on ensuring the overall integrity of the F-16.

"One of the tools we use is an environmental control test set," Area said. "It tests the temperature, pressure and overall well-being of the F-16. We also use gage blocks to precision measure objects."

It's just one example of the work Airmen at the 56th CMS do to enable the mission. Others are propulsion fuels, avionics and egress.

Propulsion handles jet engine repairs and maintenance, fuels manage maintenance and repairs on the F-16's fuel tanks, avionics is responsible for key components in the interior of the jet, and egress takes care of everything that deals with the ejection seat.

"We don't all work directly on the flightline, but we take care of the things that need to be done," said Staff Sgt. Kerry Flinchbaugh, 56th CMS team leader. "We take care of the things that are due in for maintenance and ensure they're accomplished in a timely manner. We basically take care of the behind-the-scenes work for the F-16, which allows them to continue flying."