US, Poland promote interoperability through life-saving equipment

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/24/2014 - LASK AIR BASE, Poland  -- A team of Aviano Airmen assigned to the 31st Operations Support Squadron toured the facilities of their Polish counterparts here, March 20, to gain an understanding of the mission, field questions from NATO partners and promote interoperability throughout the ranks.

Through broken English and a series of hand motions, a consensus was made: Despite cultural differences, the mentality between the various aircrew flight equipment shops is the same -- no matter what uniform they wear.

"I think the more experience we get together, the better we both will be. It's good our nations are working together -- no one should work alone," said Polish air force Capt. Anna Sarnik, chief of life support operations here. "The more we work together on this level, the better America and Poland can work together."

Three 31st OSS AFE Airmen toured two facilities on base that encompass some of the same operations as their shop -- promoting teamwork with coalition partners.

"We're taking the opportunity to train with and learn from our Polish allies because they have a lot to offer and hopefully we can give something back to them," said Staff Sgt. James Haney, 31st OSS AFE. "We have to know that our job is not only important to us, but it's also important to everyone we deal with. These pilots rely on us to get back safely."

To achieve the greatest success to the mission at hand, Airmen from both teams began discussing solutions to common problems with some of the same equipment utilized by both countries.

"Cooperation between our shops is perfect for us," said Polish air force Tech. Sgt. Tomasz Kunicki, life support technician. "It's very helpful to have someone who has a lot of experience on the same equipment. We were able to bounce ideas and problems off each other to find solutions."

At the end of the day, the flight equipment these Airmen maintain could be the difference between life and death. Each piece of equipment has a specific function designed to ensure the safety and survivability of pilots in numerous environments.

These operations include inspecting and maintaining certain pieces of equipment used in every flight -- such as the helmet, mask, harness and G-suit -- while other equipment items such as the parachute, survival kit, anti-exposure suit and life preservers are all items that would be used in an ejection scenario, designed to keep the pilot alive until rescue.

The lessons learned throughout the day brought new light to the commonalities between the two nations and a realization that everyone is working toward the same goal.

"Our job is to ensure our Airmen get home at the end of the day," said Haney. "The best part of our job is when one of our guys walks through the door after a day of flying and says, 'Thank you, everything worked the way it was supposed to.'"