Mission Spotlight: The modern-day blacksmiths

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Twelve modern-day blacksmiths of the 31st Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight transform aircraft components, tools, supplies and other support systems tailored to the 31st Fighter Wing's staple aircraft -- the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The shop is filled with machines and welding masks to conform to the daily jobs Airmen are tasked with to make the jobs of others easier.

"In fabrication, we basically construct new components," said Senior Airman Troy Poe, 31 MXS metals technology journeyman. "If there is something that needs to be made or fixed, the part comes to us first before the part is sent off or reordered."

On any given day, Airmen are crouched over complex machines producing extreme heat to duplicate apparatuses such as bushings for landing gear, flaps and rudders, which are crucial for maintaining a reliable F-16.

"Bushings are a common type of stationary bearing among aircraft," said Poe. "Bushings are important because it keeps required pins in place. If a damaged pin in the nose landing gear wheel becomes loose and falls out, it becomes very dangerous to land for the pilots."

After weeks of training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Airmen are equipped with not only the knowledge of machinery, but the basics of welding.

"Welding fuses two pieces of metal by using heat," said Poe. "We use welding to fix cracks in various pieces of metal to make them stronger."

Certified in seven different types of metal, the most commonly used metals at Aviano are mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

"Welding is my favorite part," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Gregory, 31st MXS metals technology journeyman. "It takes more skill, but once you master it, the part looks even better."

Metal technicians also use manual and computer numerical controlled machines, to design blueprints and write programs for old and new parts or tools. The machine uses Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing systems to manufacture pieces need for the parts. CAD and CAM enable a faster production system with more precise dimensions and material consistency, which reduces the amount of wasted material.

Although their training covers the basics of their career field, working among experienced NCOs challenge Airmen to develop new methods of fixing parts. When unfamiliar requests come through the office, the whole shop becomes involved in the solution to find the quickest and most effective way to complete the job.

"We are the 'go-to guys,'" said Poe. "If something is broken or something is needed from scratch, we have capabilities that no one else has. We work together to replace tools or parts to make the other squadron's jobs easier."