A day in their shoes: Launching a Fighting Falcon

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

10/8/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  -- The steady screech of the F-16 Fighting Falcon can be heard for miles around; an imposing bird soaring through the sky, ready to strike those who wish to do harm to the U.S. and its NATO allies.

Its warden, an Airman on the ground who meticulously maintains every aspect of the multimillion-dollar jet, and without him -- the lives of every pilot sent into the sky would be jeopardized.

The day begins with an early morning roll-call as each crew chief at parade rest confirms their presence. The faint voice of a crew chief assigned to the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron named Airman 1st Class Matthew Galati from Lancaster, Penn., sticks out amongst the group of outgoing professionals. The 26 year old has been stationed here for three months, but his responsibility and task for the day is immeasurable - get a fully-functioning fighter jet into the air in three hours.

"Before the Air Force, I worked manufacturing sports flooring, installing natural gas lines and as a parking garage security guard," said Galati. "The jobs I used to do don't compare to what I do now. When I went to work back then, I wasn't proud about what I was doing; I just did it for the money. When you're in the Air Force, you're a part of something so much bigger than yourself."

After receiving his jet assignment and location during roll call, Galati makes his way to the tool dispensary, where the crew chiefs receive their tools for the day. This includes keys for a toolbox on the flightline, a laptop with a list of the training orders, cleaner fluid, ear protection, rags and an inventory checklist. The training orders on the laptop contain everything, step by step, the crew chief needs to inspect and maintain the jet.

Before touching the fighter jet, Galati must perform a Foreign Objects Debris check in the protective aircraft shelter in his area of responsibility. During the inspection, he looks for anything that could potentially damage a running aircraft.

"I look for safety wire, hardware, packing material, trash, pens, pencils, tools or anything that could get sucked into the intake," said Galati. "Even something small, like a pen, could cause major damage to the jet and cost the Air Force lot of money."

After the painstaking search for FOD in the PAS, Galati turns his attention to the task at hand.

He retrieves his toolbox and pushes it to its final destination -- a lifeless jet parked next to the taxiway. Here, Galati ensures every tool is accounted for on the inventory checklist. All the while, the unusually warm October sun beats down on the maintainer, vulnerable to the elements.

"Some of these days can get pretty long, but when you like what you do it makes it a lot easier," said Galati.

Now, it is time for this crew chief to get to work. The young Airman darts back and forth underneath the aircraft, inspecting every nook and cranny, every screw and bolt, his unfaltering concentration on the task at hand. He runs his hand over every inch of the F-16, looking for anything that could cause a problem in the sky. This inspection is crucial and the life of the pilot is in Galati's hands.

"When we go out there, we want to make sure the aircraft is safe because a pilot's safety is paramount," said Galati. "We're putting a live body in the air and they have a family waiting for them to come home, just like we do."

The initial pre-flight inspection is finished and a yell rolls down the flightline, "Pilots are stepping!"

Col. Anthony Abernathy, 31st Operations Group commander and pilot, arrives to the line and Galati renders a sharp salute and a handshake. Abernathy runs through his own pre-flight inspections with Galati close behind him answering any questions the commander has for him. Once finished, Abernathy climbs the ladder into the cockpit and Galati helps him strap in.

The Fighting Falcon roars to life climbing from a high-pitched whine to a deafening thunder. A smile creeps onto Galati's face as he establishes communications with the colonel. The two discuss launch procedures as the crew chief does one final inspection.

It's time to fly. Galati stands in front of the jet with his arms crossed high above his head and suddenly, his hands are in a flurry, signaling for Abernathy to begin rolling out. Once the jet taxis by, Galati renders one final salute. His work is finished for now as the F-16 taxis to the end of runway for takeoff.

From a short distance away, the fighter jet speeds down the flightline and takes flight. All the while, Galati takes it in and knows his day is finished.

"At the end of the day, when you walk off the flightline, you feel accomplished--like you did something," said Galati. "You feel like you did something and that makes the day complete.

"I enjoy my job because it's not something most people do every day," added Galati.  "I talk to family and friends back home and they're an auto mechanic or work at a fast food restaurant and I'm out here launching million dollar F-16s. It's a one-of-a-kind experience."