SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Christopher Gregory, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, drills holes into a piece of metal for fasteners to be installed during on-the-job training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 3, 2010. The fasteners are used to attach to the skin of a simulated aircraft structure. Airman Gregory hails from Eagle River, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Raymond Bettley, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, aligns vinyl for printing of decals and patches on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 3, 2010. The decals and patches printed represent the home station and unit the jets are from. Airman Bettley is from Hamden, Conn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Raymond Bettley, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, looks for patches that need to be printed on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 3, 2010. All patches seen on the F-15Es here, including static displays, are printed, cut out and applied by the 4th EMS. Airman Bettley is from Hamden, Conn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Raymond Bettley, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, aligns patches for cutting on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 3, 2010. The patches must be lined up with the cross-hairs to properly cut out the shape. Airman Bettley is from Hamden, Conn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Mark Cote, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, lays out cut lines for a simulated aircraft structure during on-the-job training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 3, 2010. The cut lines are laid out on the SAS so that the part can be trimmed down to fit the correct dimensions for the aircraft. Airman Cote hails from Fuquay Varina, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

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Photos: Build it up

Published Feb. 5, 2010
By Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The aircraft structural maintenance section of the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron is responsible for the design and repairs completed on aircraft parts. The Airmen are also responsible for modifying and fabricating aircraft metal, plastic, composite, advanced composite, and bonded structural parts and components. When in upgrade training, new Airmen must successfully complete repairs on simulated aircraft structures before being sent out to work on jets and be qualified to attain their five-skill level. The flight is composed of more than 100 personnel supporting 95 F-15E aircraft.