Electrical systems maintained for mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Without properly trained electrical systems technicians, the 20th Fighter Wing would not be able to supply combat-ready airpower and Airmen to meet any challenge, anytime, anywhere.

From ensuring power lines are in working order to maintaining fire alarms and installing electrical lines, the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems shop maintains all things electrical.

"Our shop is responisble for a lot more than your basic electrical problems on base," said Master Sgt. Jonathan Haiglar, 20th CES electrical systems NCO in charge. "With all the different types of jobs we do, an Airman might not learn everything within this career field until he or she is a Master Sgt. There are constantly new things to be learned."

With several electrical systems technicians deployed, the electrical systems shop Airmen are completing more jobs than normal.

"Right now we are doing about 35 scheduled jobs each week," said Haiglar. "Not to mention all of the extra jobs that come up each week. One job might be fixing a light switch and another might be completely re-wiring an entire building so the jobs vary in time and manpower."

One job neccessitates a higher priority than others on the "to-be-completed" list.

"People may not realize this but, the airfield is our main priority," said Frank Delgado, 20th CES shop forman.

Starting at 0500 each morning, properly trained Airmen inspect each of the airfields 1,643 runway lights.

"The Airfield lights are extremely important for the pilots," said Staff Sgt. Nicholes Crumb 20th CES electrical systems craftsman. "There are several different types of lights, which tell pilots various important things about their position on the runway during low-light conditions. It's our job to ensure that our F-16CJ Fighting Falcon pilots are as safe as possible while taking off and landing."

After ensuring the airfield lights are functioning properly, their next priority is "the big 12".

"The big 12 are the buildings which are the most important to the mission and need to maintain electrical power," said Delgado. "They are the buildings that take the highest priority when electrical problems arrise."

Even though there is a lot to be done with reduced manpower, the Airman of the 20th CES electrical systems shop complete their mission, maintiaining thousands of volts of electricty running throughout the base.

"It's a great job," said Crumb. "Each day there is always something new to be learned. I come into work not knowing what to expect, and I like that."