Aircraft maintainers' hard work, dedication keep Edwards aircraft in the air

by Dawn Waldman
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

9/24/2014 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Like their counterparts across the Air Force, aircraft maintainers at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., play a critical role in ensuring successful flight test missions. Both day and night, maintainers from the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron -- Team Shadow--- support the flying schedule of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, as well as chase support missions for the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. The work involves launching and recovering aircraft as well as inspecting the jets and maintaining them between flights.

The F-16 Falcons and T-38 Talons, supported by the 412 AMXS, are expected to be ready no matter the weather, which means the crew chiefs, expediters and other team members are working out in the elements no matter how cold, windy, or hot the weather conditions might be.

"The combination of wind and heat at this elevation is exhausting, but these guys continue to battle through it and get the job done," said Tech. Sgt. Teresa West, 412 AXMS crew chief and Support Section chief.  "Team Shadow strives everyday, despite harsh weather, to continue to do more with less and streamline efficiency in new ways to meet and exceed the needs of the Air Force in support of Edwards' unique test missions for research and development," said West.

The aircraft maintainers in Team Shadow have sustained a 99-percent  Maintenance Scheduling Effectiveness Rate during the past six months, above Air Force Materiel Command's standard of 95 percent, as they continue to strive for excellence in support of the Edwards test mission.