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B-52 presence welcomed by U.S., coalition forces

by Master Sgt. Scott King
40th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

5/3/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Thirty thousand feet above Afghan terrain, the presence of B-52 Stratofortresses is felt. Their presence is welcomed by U.S. and coalition forces fighting in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but unwelcome by the terrorists who operate from there. 

Maintaining the fleet of B-52s here is no easy task. Over the past eight months B-52 pilots have flown more than 450 combat sorties, equaling more than 7,500 hours, and have released more than 150 weapons on the enemy. That adds up to a lot of wear and tear on the airframe, and this is where the maintainers come in. 

“The B-52 maintainer’s mission is clear and simple: provide safe, reliable, combat-ready B-52s to the aircrews ready to perform their assigned missions,” said Master Sgt. Carl Paskey, 40th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron lead production superintendent.

“The part that’s not so clear and simple is what it takes to perform such a mission. We have Airmen in 17 (Air Force Specialty Codes) working 24/7,” Sergeant Paskey said.

Challenges for the maintainers here are limited equipment and resources. Because of this location, aircraft parts are difficult to get in a timely manner. Back-shop specialists have achieved some great repairs to broken parts here that kept the B-52s in the air.

Another challenge is the weather. It is hot, humid and salty. 

"The environment adds to our work here, with salt in the air and an aging metal aircraft. It is a constant battle to preserve the aircraft and keep them healthy," Sergeant Paskey said. "Each aircraft gets a clear-water rinse every two weeks and a wash every 30 days. These are things that are (done) three times as often here than back home.” 

Pilots know how pivotal the maintainers are to their mission of providing close-air support for U.S. and coalition forces. 

“We have flown 200-plus sorties and have released more than 105 weapons on terrorists, and none of it would have been possible without this group’s maintainers,” said Col. Mick R. Guthals, 40th Air Expeditionary Group commander. “They have made magic happen."

Together with aircrew and support agencies, the maintainers feel they are saving lives. 

"Our mission here is vital to life,” said Tech. Sgt. Perry Pagan, 40th EMXS B-52 structural maintenance craftsman. “It’s vital because when you hear of a group of Marines pinned down with a fire fight in Afghanistan calling in an air strike, you better bet they appreciate that."