Electrical Airmen power the B-52

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  An Airman leans over a B-52H Stratofortress engine and begins unscrewing panels. He starts performing bleed-air checks in the hidden valves of the B-52, and knows the valves will have to be replaced if they start leaking air.

When it comes to inspecting everything from B-52 electrical systems to the liquid oxygen tanks that provide breathable air to pilots, he isn't alone.

Three shifts involving 22 Airmen of the 2nd Maintenance Squadron Electrical and Environmental systems flight perform phase inspections on the B-52 and make sure all electrical systems and valves function properly.

"During the phase inspection, we service and replace parts that are cracked and broken," said Senior Airman Brandon Smith, 2nd MXS E & E systems journeyman. "We also service between 22 and 25 liquid oxygen tanks."

During a 14-day phase inspection, E & E Airmen search for cracks, leaks, broken wires and more.

"Some of the parts we inspect are in the cockpit and underneath the wheel wells," said Airman 1st Class Kristen Tanner, 2nd MXS E & E systems journeyman. "Other things we inspect are inside the body of the jet, in the wings or on top of the [engines]."

Some of these parts include aircraft electrical wiring, bleed-air ducts and thermal flash indicators that are used by pilots.

In addition to working phase inspections, E & E Airmen also have other maintenance needs to satisfy; they tackle the excess workload from the previous shift before beginning a new workload.

"Turnover is a guaranteed way each shift communicates with the one and makes sure everyone knows what's going on between the shifts," Tanner said.

Communication and accountability is key because the following shift needs to know what happened on the previous one in order to avoid mistakes, potential accidents or delays in work.

The type of workload a shift receives will set the tone for the remainder of the day, said Senior Airman Shawn Ward, 2nd MXS E & E journeyman.

"We'll get to the jet around 7:30 a.m., select our tools and form a game plan for what we need to do. We could have tons of work or just have to inspect a few parts," he said.

Because the B-52 requires power to operate, these Airmen are an invaluable part of providing mission continuity.

"If we didn't have E & E, the jet wouldn't be able to fly," Tanner said. "[Many] things work with electricity. If you don't have that, nothing else will work. There are certain valves that need air pressure, hydraulic fluid; they need all sorts of things to be able to work. It's all needed to have a mission-capable jet."

By the day's end, the Airman who was unscrewing panels from the B-52 engine has verified there were no air leaks bleeding from a valve; he secures all panels back into place on top of the engine and climbs down the ladder to rejoin his fellow E & E Airmen.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he concludes his shift knowing the 2nd Bomb Wing mission will continue under his dedicated vigilance.