48th Metals techs forge mission success

by Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England  -- Repairing support equipment from aircraft to water mains, the 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technicians are an important asset to any mission here.

Metals technicians mainly support the 48th Fighter Wing's multi-million dollar aircraft by creating parts with unique specifications, inspecting aircraft parts to ensure they are fully operational and performing metalwork for the base.

"We make parts that can't be apprehended, such as special brackets that need to be machined out of solid aluminum," said Airman 1st Class Cody Birnschein, 48th EMS aircraft metals technician. "After we make them, our brother flight -- sheet metals -- installs them on the aircraft."

By repairing a variety of items for any shop or unit on the flightline, such as the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, the metals technology shop is usually the last stop for any metalwork that needs to be done.

"If we can't fix it, it's broke," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Gomez, 48th EMS aircraft metals craftsman. "If we can't weld it or fabricate it to fix it, then you need to get a new one. This is the last stop before it gets [sent to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office]."

Metals technicians sharpen their skills and remain Forward, Ready, Now, everyday to stay proficient on the metal repair and fabrication process to ensure they can support the 48th FW's mission and keep the base combat ready.

"I think this job is pretty awesome, since we can take a solid block of metal and create something useful with it that will help keep aircraft flying," Birnschein said.