Aircrew flight equipment technicians compete

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Tech. Sgt. Alvin Edmunds checks functionality of an aircrew member's helmet during an aircrew flight equipment competition here, May 6, 2010. Aircrew technicians test and adjust head gear to each aircrew member's head to prevent air leaks during flight. Sergeant Edmunds, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, is from Danville, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Aircrew flight equipment technicians compete

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Emily Bertini uses A8 wax string to secure loose material on a mask during an aircrew flight equipment competition here, May 6, 2010. During the competition, participants were timed and judged based on how they gear up aircrew members during pre-flight. Airman Bertini, 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, hails from Springtown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Aircrew flight equipment technicians compete

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Emily Bertini adjusts a mask on Staff Sgt. Johnathan Bertini during an aircrew flight equipment competition here, May 6, 2010. During the competition, aircrew technicians had to fit aircrew members with flight gear and check masks for air leaks. Airman Bertini and Sergeant Bertini are aircrew flight equipment technicians from the 4th Operations Support Squadron. Airman Bertini hails from Springtown, Texas, and Sergeant Bertini is from Buffalo, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Aircrew flight equipment technicians compete

Published May 11, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson
4th FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- In the tradition of the "Turkey Shoot" competition, the 4th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technicians competed amongst each other to determine who could prepare an aircrew member for flight the fastest with the least amount of errors here, May 7, 2010.

During the competition, participants were timed and judged based on how they geared up aircrew members before flight. Each competitor had to fit a fellow Airman in an anti-G suit, parachute harness, helmet and face mask in accordance with technical orders.

The anti-G suits fit tightly on aircrew members and inflate over the abdomen to keep blood flowing to the upper body and prevent the member from passing out when pulling Gs. The parachute harness has two pull handles and connects to a parachute. It also carries a 150-foot cord designed to help aircrew members repel from trees. The helmet and face mask must fit snuggly to the aircrew member's head and the visor must be functional. After the initial fit, an aircrew technician tests the unit and re-adjusts it to prevent air leakage during flight as well as a complete microphone check.

The competitors were broken into three-person teams and each member of the team performed all required tasks. The total amount of time and points combined determined the group winners and the best in each group were individual winners.