FORT CARSON, Colo. — U.S. Army AH-64 attack helicopter repairers assigned to the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, ensure that helicopters equipped with new technologies and upgraded capabilities are kept up to date and maintained for precise execution and operation.
Maintaining aircraft equipped with the latest sensors, communications systems and defensive measures to operate effectively in contested environments and counter emerging threats is essential to successful operations to achieve a tactical advantage.
“Everything we maintain on the aircraft plays a vital role in the Army’s mission of readiness,” said Sgt. Ariana Ibarra, Delta Company, 4th Attack Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. “Without the repairers and maintainers, the aircraft would not be able to fly in combat operations.”
Ibarra joined the Army to become a pilot but has since found a passion as a repairer and is now an inspector helping guide new Soldiers in the art and science of aviation maintenance.
Whether deployed, in the field, or in a garrison, repairers optimize the performance of aircraft systems. Through conducting regular maintenance and inspections, they can identify and address issues that may affect the aircraft's performance, ensuring peak efficiency.
After 500 hours of flight time, helicopters are thoroughly inspected. The aircraft is taken off the flight line and brought to a maintenance bay for a full inspection, covering everything from the onboard computer system to the literal nuts and bolts that hold it together.
“Being deployed isn’t much different than being on the flight line; we still have all the same responsibilities down range that we do here,” said Spc. Nicholas Franke, an aircraft powertrain repairer with Delta Company, 4th Attack Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade.
Ibarra explains that the aircraft have radar, GPS and other sensitive equipment that protects the pilots. If the equipment overheats, their lives are in danger, making safety their highest priority.
“Most of the work we do is specialized,” said Ibarra. “We have people certified in environmental control systems, and their job is to ensure that the onboard equipment is cooled.”
Helicopter maintenance personnel are more than just mechanics; they are highly skilled professionals who maintain the systems' operations and are responsible for the crew's safety.
Ibarra and her team are indispensable in a multi-domain operations environment. They ensure the reliability, readiness and performance of aircraft, which are critical for mission success in the complex operational environments of the future. They maintain everything inside and out of the aircraft, which enables integration across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains helping the 4th Infantry Division in multi-domain operations.
Social Sharing