Repairing the Red, White and Blue, and saving some green

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "The American flag represents all of us and all the values we hold sacred," said Adrian Cronauer, radio personality and former Air Force sergeant.

Walking into Hanger 5 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., there is a lot of noise around: people repairing equipment, industrial sewing machines running, and work going on in the parachute shop. Distractions aside, stepping into the center of the shop, it is impossible to overlook Old Glory.

A certain chill accompanies seeing an eight foot, 11.375 inch by 17 foot stars and stripes up close and spread out across a table, so large it could cover a fully grown elephant. An Airman gathers it up onto a cart and wheels it over to one of the sewing machines. 

The Airman is Airman 1st Class Tomas Mitchell, 325 Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, and he and his colleagues are tasked with the important mission of repairing the flags on base in an effort to keep Tyndall's flags in good shape and save the funds a replacement flag would cost.

"We repair and modify everything from Anti-G suits, parachutes, life rafts to life preservers for the pilots here," Airman Mitchell said.

That was Airman Mitchell's first time repairing a flag by his self, but it will not be the last.

"We will repair any Air force asset that we are able to repair until the needs for the base cease to exist," Airman Mitchell said.

According to Tech. Sgt. John Schmidt, 325th OSS aircrew flight equipment main shop NCO in charge, the base flags fly for three to four months on average. During which they are subjected to the Florida weather.

"The main causes of damage are the wind and rain," said Sergeant Schmidt. "The sun beats on it and degrades the material which causes it to rip. The wind also pulls on it, and the constant flapping tears the edges."

"Each flag costs $235. We are able to save that entire amount by fixing the flags and avoiding a replacement," Sergeant Schmidt said.

The repair process typically can be completed in under an hour, but depending on the damage, can last up to two hours.

"We remove the damaged area if it is small enough," said Sergeant Schmidt. "Basically, we make the flag a few inches shorter to get rid of the bad parts. Then we fold over the edges again and sew it in the same manner it was originally sewn. On the flags, where the stripes are separating, typically we just refold the stripes together and sew it back together like it originally was."

These same techniques can also be performed on personal flags to keep them flying longer.

"The seams and tattered edges can be resewn to add some extra life to them," said Sergeant Schmidt. "Small damaged areas can be removed or resewn depending on the extent of the damage. For smaller light weight flags, a small home sewing machine should suffice."

On some flags the damage is so extensive repair is impossible. Those Flags are handled by Mr. Alfredo Lopez, 325 Mission Support Group group resource advisor, and he sees that they are properly retired with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag.

Mr. Lopez has been taking care of the base flags since 2008 and the entire process starts and ends with him.

"I order the flags as needed and keep them in my office," Mr. Lopez said. "When I am made aware of a flag becoming worn, I go out and do a visual. If they need replacing, I talk with security forces who then sends a unit out to replace the flag. The worn flag is then bought to my office where I then store it until I have enough to turn over to the Boys Scouts or a veterans organization."

These organizations hold traditional ceremonies in which a flag slated for "retirement" is methodically cut into smaller pieces and incinerated. Afterwards, the ashes are collected and buried officially laying the flag to rest.

"Here on Tyndall, we as Airmen take the United States flag very serious," said Sergeant Schmidt. "As Aircrew Flight equipment technicians we don't just see it as some fabric sewn together that we are tasked to fix. It is very important, as it represents not only our country, but our installation, as well as our fellow service members who served before us and the men and women who serve with us now who have ensured our freedom. We always show respect to the flag."

"The flags were repaired by Tech Sgt Jamie Smith, [43rd Fighter Squadron previous parachute shop NCO in charge], Airman 1st Class Brian Sitarz, [325 OSS aircrew flight equipment technician], and Airman 1st Class Tomas Mitchell," said Sergeant Schmidt. "They understood the importance of these flags and felt honored for the flags they repaired to be able to fly over Tyndall Air Force Base again."

The pride in work is exhibited by the tone in the Airmen's voices.

"Knowing that I am actually repairing something that is going to be seen around the base, may not have my name embroidered on it or anything like that, but knowing that I actually had a hand in helping with something like that... Yeah, I do have a certain pride about that," said Airman Mitchell. "It gives me a good feeling."