Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Steven Jakubowski, 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section apprentice, looks for a tool to disassemble a landing gear, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Landing gear and brake systems are common aircraft parts brought to the shop for repair. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Airmen with the 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section prepare to disassemble a landing gear, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Airmen from the 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section separate two main parts of a landing gear strut, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the strut’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristopher Voak, 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section craftsman, removes retaining rings, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Steven Jakubowski, 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section apprentice, inspects damage on a retaining ring, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Steven Jakubowski, 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section apprentice, and Tech. Sgt. Tabor Gluth, 31st MXS hydraulic section NCOIC, remove the metering pin out of a landing gear strut, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

Upper and lower bearings of landing gear sit on absorbent cloth before a specialized washer cleans them, May 18, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The bearings are inspected after being washed for further damage. Each part must be removed in sequence, washed and inspected to ensure the landing gear’s integrity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

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Small hangar with a big mission

Published May 22, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- A small hangar sits tucked away in a corner near the end of the rubber-stained tarmac, doors closed tight, nearly forgotten. Inside lies an unknown workforce of Airmen ready to provide crucial repairs on aircraft hydraulic systems.

Pilots depend on the Airmen of the 31st Maintenance Squadron hydraulics section to maintain the F-16 Fighting Falcon hydraulics systems to ensure mission success.

"In the big scheme, hydro is one of the main components of any jet," said Airman 1st Class Steven Jakubowski, 31 MXS hydraulics section apprentice. "Aircraft wouldn't land, take off or fly without hydraulics systems and brakes working properly."

Jakubowski and his teammates disassembles, cleans, inspects and reassembles the hydraulics systems for the F-16s, and if necessary, sends parts such as metal bushings to different maintenance sections for repairs.

"Once we have all the repaired components, we reassemble the part, insert fluid and make sure it holds pressure with no leaks," said Tech. Sgt. Tabor Gluth, 31 MXS hydraulics section NCOIC. "Once the refurbished part is certified and ready for use, it enters the supply chain for when it is needed."

The final refurbished product is certified and transferred to supply until it is needed for ongoing missions or as a spare part for a TDY. The Airmen of the hydro shop ensure that the parts are available and ready to go so the mission can continue uninterrupted.

"I've been working this job for approximately 12 years, and the best part is watching aircraft take off," said Gluth. "You feel good putting something on the jet that is going to take the pilot down range and bring them back safely."