B-52 bombers deployed to Europe to send a message to Russia - here's how US airmen keep them flying on a moment's notice
Maintainers accomplish their mission by providing routine and unscheduled maintenance to the B-52s to ensure it is ready to fly at a moment's notice.
The maintainers are proud of the fact that they are the airmen charged with making sure that the B-52 takes flight when called upon.
"We are the last ones to touch the jet and the first ones to catch the jet," said US Airman 1st Class Thomas Chase, 2nd AMXS 96th AMU crew chief.
There are many sections and jobs throughout the 96th AMU, and all of them have an important role to play in the mission, from the crew chiefs who take care of the overall state of the jet to the weapons airmen who load munitions onto the B-52.
"My job is to fix the electronic countermeasures on the B-52," McMaster said. "It is essential to mission success because it provides defense for the aircraft in case of hostile threats or enemy engagement."
The airmen of the 96th AMU are excited to be a part of the BTF for a variety of reasons.
"Being able to join with our allies is exciting," Crowe said. "We [join them] from home too, but here it feels different."
Spending time in England not only allows the maintainers to accomplish extra training, but they also use it to become closer and build trust with each other.
"Once everyone is deployed, that is when everyone builds the bonds with each other," Crowe said. "Everyone gets excited because it is easier to learn new things and gain new experiences."
Without the 96th AMU at RAF Fairford, the B-52s would not be able to fly. "It's like your car," Crowe said. "If you are driving your car and you don't have anyone to take care of any of the parts that break, you may be able to drive it once or twice but that will be it."
The mission of the BTF is to assure our allies and deter our adversaries, and maintainers play a major role in ensuring we are able to accomplish our mission to respond at a moments' notice.
"The B-52 is capable of going anywhere and in any point of time," McMaster said. "It launches fast and it puts fear into the hearts of our adversaries."
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