Avionics puts bombs on target, keeps Airmen safe

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Combat search and rescue operations, supply drops to forward forces, calculated strategic bomb runs and an array of countless other missions around the world, would not be possible without the tireless efforts of avionics specialists deployed here to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron."We are the avionics centralized repair facility for the entire area of responsibility," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Falcon, the 379th EMXS avionics intermediate section production supervisor deployed here from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.Falcon and his crew are responsible for ensuring the avionics systems onboard F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and B-1B Lancers are ready to accomplish the mission day and night for every air base in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility."We don't take this mission lightly," said Senior Master Sgt. Gene Sing, the 379th EMXS avionics flight chief deployed here from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. "Not only is our mission important but it also saves the Air Force money."By having the CRF at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the Air Force is capable of fixing these systems that provide pilots with a necessary function for performing the mission."Avionics gives the Air Force the ability to locate, track and destroy targets through precision and accuracy," said Staff Sgt. Craig Lewis, a 379th EMXS B-1B avionics technician deployed here from Robins AFB, Ga. "Where in the past, like during World War II, we would drop a massive amount of bombs and hope they hit something."Lewis said avionics techs maintain many systems on an aircraft including guidance, communications, navigation, radar and surveillance. This ultimately prepares aircraft for low-altitude attack profiles, precision bombing, covert operations and reconnaissance missions."So we take care of much more than just the weapons systems," said Lewis. "We remove, install, check and repair avionics systems and line-replaceable units while performing and supervising alignment, calibration and bore sight of avionics systems using uploaded maintenance and operational software."Avionics can be found on every Air Force airframe service-wide, said Senior Airman Benjamin Wagner, a 379th EMXS B-1B avionics technician deployed here from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.Deployed avionics technicians do much of the same mission here as they do at home station."Same systems, same technical orders," Lewis said.But the great thing about being deployed, Sing said, is that it allows his Airmen a chance to work on other airframes rather than just being knowledgeable on the specific aircraft their home unit flies."It gives our Airmen an opportunity to expand their job knowledge and become more familiar with other aspects of our career field," said Sing. "It allows them to see the bigger picture."The 379th EMXS's AIS shop plays an integral role in keeping the Air Force's bombers, fighters and cargo planes ready to go whenever they're needed."If it flies and has avionics equipment, we can fix it," Wagner said.

Rachel Lipsky livens deployed servicemember’s resolve

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs6/5/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- During an Armed Forces Entertainment tour across the region, the Rachel Lipsky Band visited servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 29 and 30, saw several facilities, and put on two performances.Lipsky's influences are Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Melba Montgomery and Selena. She is also a huntress and has a web-based hunting show called "Wild Enough to Shoot At."Today, AFE hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy make-shift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home.

Kal Penn, Kate Walsh visit Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/29/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- American Actors Kal Penn and Kate Walsh visited the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 26 during a USO Handshake Tour with stops including the Intra-theater Care Program, a B-1B Lancer facility, military working dogs demonstration and a Patriot missile facility, as well as, a meet-and-greet at the base club."I'm hugely grateful for everything you guys are doing here," said Kate Walsh, whose father served in the Korean War. "We couldn't do what we do without you."They were able to visit many aspects of the wing's mission, but one thing stood out above all others for Penn and Walsh."The diversity here is amazing," Penn said. "It's great to see how efficient your operations are."Penn recently returned from a two-year sabbatical during which he served as an associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement. Among his many tasks, he also worked on programs assisting employment and health benefits for returning veterans.Walsh related military operations to life on set, saying it takes so many different people from so many different backgrounds and specialties to bring a production together."Except what you do is real," she said. "I didn't expect to see all this energy and discipline. It's beautiful what 8,000 people with differing personalities can do when they come together and make this production a reality."But at the end of the day, Penn and Walsh said the greatest thing about their visit was getting to know the people serving here."It's been great sitting around and talking with people," said Walsh. "It's great to hear their stories and understand where they came from."Similarly, Penn found he has connections to many people deployed here, especially those from his home state of New Jersey."On a tour like this, you meet so many people," he said. "But it's not until you really take the time to get to know them. This personal interaction makes a huge difference for our servicemembers who are deployed here away from their family and friends. Thank you for what you do for us; we all really appreciate your sacrifice."