Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 7 2017

July 2017 NEWS Thunderbolt www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb http://www.luke.af.mil
Flightline maintenance: safety first
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Story and photos by Senior Airman JAMES HENSLEY
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Arizona heat is nothing to joke about, especially with the tempera- tures rising above 100 degrees dur- ing summer. At that temperature, how do maintainers continue to operate and cope with the heat?
Maintainers at the 309th Air- craft Maintenance Unit have various ways to stay cool rang- ing from sunshades to work-load management, said 1st Lt. Don Humphrey, 309th AMU assistant officer in charge.
“You feel a big difference when you’re out there, especially if the aircraft is sitting in the sun rather than under the sunshade because that’s where you feel the heat the most,” Humphrey said. “If you have ever touched an aircraft that’s been out in the sun all day, it’s not fun.”
Along with sunshades, the main- tainers are supplied other means to stay cool and hydrated.
“We just got cooling towels ap- proved for use around their necks,” said Tech. Sgt. Martin Miller, 309th
AMU section chief. “We issue water jugs and sunscreen. We also use a work to rest ratio. The higher the temperature gets the longer the rest periods are.”
During launch and recovery of aircraft, maintainers have access to air conditioned vehicles.
“With recoveries in particular, when the temperature is 105 de- grees or higher, the maintainers will stay with an expeditor in a vehicle until the jet is close to ar- riving,” Miller said. “The expeditors and section chiefs go out regularly to check on the Airmen. Any heavy maintenance that requires a lot of work we try to bring into the hangar to reduce the time spent in the heat.”
One of the core beliefs for the 56th Fighter Wing is we value people, ideas and then things, and the 309th AMU takes that to heart.
“Heat safety is important be- cause the maintainers are the individuals making the mission happen,” Miller said. “They’re the ones doing the work, and if we can’t afford them the opportunities to take the breaks they need, they can’t do the mission.”
Senior Airman Lakenzar Snipes, 309th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, takes a water break at Luke Air Force Base. Staying hydrated is essential for maintainers especially during the summer months with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Crew chiefs use cooling towels, sunshades, wa- ter and planned work-rest cycles to stay cool while working.
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