AFE: Keeping pilots in business

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Haas
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 8th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment flight is busy, to say the least. They are the sole providers of flight equipment to all U.S. Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea aircrew - and when they aren't busy with that, they are gearing up for the next exercise.

"We are responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and fitting all aircrew flight equipment for the Wolf Pack's pilots," said Master Sgt. Ja'Net Elston-Henry, 8th OSS AFE superintendent. "This includes combat-related items critical to the Korean theater like the Aircrew Chemical Defense Ensemble."

AFE keeps the Wolf Pack in the fight by ensuring every pilot can continue to fly, fight, and win no matter what the environment may be. These 18 Airmen are the only reason 8th Fighter Wing pilots can continue to operate after a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack.

AFE is constantly training to keep their skill set sharp to ensure they are always ready for the fight.

"The flight has been practicing all of its' combat core tasks nonstop since the Combined Unit Inspection in April this year," the superintendent said. "Every other Saturday, we get together and focus on training and improving our combat capability."

Most of their weekend training focuses on weapons issue, survival radios, laser eye protection and aircrew decontamination.

"The aircrew decontamination line is what we spend the most time on, since AFE Airmen need to be able to completely decontaminate a pilot and their flight equipment, all while dressed in Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear, level four - not an easy task at all," said Elston-Henry.

The team of decontaminators had the chance to practice with the Wolf, Col. S. Clinton Hinote, 8th FW commander, Wizard II, Maj. Lee Sims, 8th OSS deputy of operations, and Viper Chief, Chief Master Sgt. William Ford, 8th OSS superintendent, July 27.

"It was a successful day," Elston-Henry said. "We tested the flight with some injects similar to what they'll see from the Exercise Evaluation Team during an exercise.

Everyone handled it without any problems. Overall, the leadership was impressed with the process and both Wizard II and Viper Chief remarked on how much equipment AFE is responsible for, all to keep one pilot safe and combat-capable.

"I actually enjoyed going through the decontamination line," said Hinote. "It was good for me to see how we will be able to keep our pilots safe in case these weapons are used against us. The Wolf Pack leads the way in readiness for the entire Air Force, and I am proud of the members of AFE flight for sacrificing part of their weekend so that we are prepared to fight tonight."

Training in AFE is not an easy task - all technicians are required to be knowledgeable and able to perform the proper procedures at any processing station in the Aircrew Contamination Control Area.

"Conducting this process within a Collective Protective System facility provides additional challenges of space and personnel traffic constraints, which creates a unique environment here on the Korean Peninsula," said the superintendent.

Overcoming these challenges required many hours of training during the week and on most Saturdays in full MOPP gear.

"We're always improving and finding ways to make our team better," Elston-Henry concluded. "We strive to train how we fight and to become more comfortable in constrained and unfamiliar environments, so that if needed, AFE can "Take it North" without any hesitation."