Download PDF BrochureYou will perform scheduled inspections, functional checks, and preventive maintenance on aircraft and aircraft installed equipment. Prior to flight, you will inspect and perform various functional checks of the aircraft as well as ensure that the aircraft has been properly serviced with fuel, hydraulic fluid and liquid oxygen. After flight, you will be responsible for ensuring the aircraft is still in "operationally ready" condition. You will maintain and repair all parts of the aircraft, performing general mechanical work as opposed to working on a particular system or subsystem. back to top

You will inspect cargo and mail offered for airlift to verify eligibility and proper documentation, packaging, and marking according to applicable directives. You will determine quantity and type of cargo to be loaded according to allowable aircraft cabin load. You will load and unload aircraft using materials handling and loading equipment, check cargo against manifests, and annotate overage, shortage, or damage. You will complete documentation and reports required within the air transportation system to include air land and airdrop. You will prepare and maintain necessary forms for passenger travel and prepare weight and balance records. You will requisition, store, and issue expendable and nonexpendable items for use on aircraft. You will review travel authorizations for validity and accuracy and check in passengers and baggage. back to top

Download PDF BrochureAircraft have fuel systems similar to automobiles, but more complex. Aircraft fuel tanks are large enough for people to enter and you will work inside and outside of fuel tanks to remove, repair, inspect, install, and modify aircraft fuel systems, including integral fuel and water cell tanks, bladder cells, and external tanks.

You will advise on aircraft fuel systems removal, repair, and installation maintenance procedures and policies. You will diagnose fuel system and component malfunctions and recommend corrective actions and/or resolve problems.

In this job, you will perform maintenance on fuel tanks and cells by removing, repairing, and/or replacing malfunctioning components. Your job will also be to inspect aircraft fuel systems maintenance activities. Additionally, you will be responsible for cleaning fuel cells and tanks, and inspecting for foreign objects, corrosion, cell deterioration, and fungus.

You will learn about internal hardware such as valves, interconnects, lines, gauges, controls, pumps, and other attachments. You will also learn about sealing techniques and materials, layout drawing use, interpreting technical publications and concepts, and applications of maintenance directives. back to top

You will measure broken or worn parts using calipers, gauges, and micrometers. You will draw working sketches, make templates, consult shop drawings, and select material. You will perform machine tool-cutting operations such as cutting off stock, threads, and tapers. You will use engine lathe cutting gears, slots, keyways, and similar work pieces. You will preheat and post heat materials as needed. You will weld by oxyacetylene, arc welding, tungsten inert gas, metal inert gas, and other methods or processes. You will weld cast iron, carbon steel, copper, copper alloys, light gauges of heat and corrosion resistant ferrous alloys, aluminum, magnesium, titanium alloys, nickel, and cobalt base alloys. You will conduct hardness tests to determine results of heat treatment. You will perform precision grinding and remove poisonous or corrosive deposits. You will perform maintenance on welding and machining equipment and adjust gibs, clutches, and feed screws. back to top

Download PDF BrochureAircraft Structural Maintenance is a very important part of maintaining our multi-million dollar aircraft and missiles. As an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Apprentice, you will become involved in classifying damage to aircraft structures for repair to original strength, weight, and contour. You will remove, repair, and install repaired or replacement parts. You will align component structures. You will balance aircraft control surfaces and ensure repairs are pressure, fluid, and weather tight. You will inspect damage or deterioration and determine repair or replacement. You will repair or replace plastic, fiberglass, bonded structures, and bonded honeycomb assemblies. You will cut, bend, and install hardware on all types of tubing. You will seal fabricated tubing assemblies and select components, fabricate, and pull test aircraft cable assemblies. You will operate and maintain powered and non-powered tools and equipment to include precision measurement equipment. You will use spray equipment such as conventional spray guns, airless spray guns, and electrostatic spray equipment. You will use various methods of identifying metals, such as mechanical and chemical testing, in order to ensure that the proper corrosion treatment procedures are followed. You will identify the type of corrosion present, the treatment required to preserve the metal, and the causes of corrosion in order to help prevent the recurrence of corrosion. Once you have identified the metal and its corrosion, you will remove the corrosion by using various chemical and mechanical methods, and then treat the metal to preserve it. You will use spray equipment to apply protective coatings to aircraft structural materials. You will also construct and apply aircraft markings and insignia. back to top

Installs, removes, operates, maintains, and repairs electrical power generating and control systems, aircraft arresting systems, and associated equipment. back to top

Your job will be to prevent the loss of life and property from fire. During technical school training, you will be taught, and subsequently receive, Red Cross certification in standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). You will also be taught the principles and operations of fighting building, aircraft, hazardous materials, wild land (grass, brush, forests, etc.), and miscellaneous fires (cars, dumpsters, etc.). You will be taught all the vehicles, tools, and equipment used to combat these fires. back to top

In this job, you will perform pre-flight, through-flight, and post-flight inspections of aircraft away from home. You'll be computing and applying aircraft weight, balance, and performance data. You'll also be compiling data on takeoffs, climbs, cruises, etc. It will be your responsibility to update the flight engineer's log.

You will operate and monitor engine and aircraft systems controls and indicators. You'll assist the pilot or perform engine starts, and monitor run up, flight operations, and engine shutdown. You will also monitor warning indicators and lights for fire, overheat, depressurization, and system failure, reporting any abnormal conditions to the pilot and recommending corrective action.

Knowledge of electrical, communication, navigation, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems is mandatory in this career field. You will learn all of that in your technical school and on-the-job training. You'll also learn flight theory, minor in-flight maintenance, emergency aircraft procedures, and using and interpreting diagrams, schematics, and performance charts. back to top

You will learn the basic fundamentals for the operation of equipment used in the storage and transfer of petroleum products. You will drive refueling vehicles on the flight line and perform the actual refueling of all types of aircraft assigned to that base. Other areas of importance are the Fuels Control Center where all requests for fuel are received, and the operator maintenance of refueling vehicles and flight line hydrant systems. After completing all aspects of the mobile distribution function, you may be assigned to the bulk storage facility where millions of gallons of fuel are stored, issued, and received daily. back to top

The Historian Career Field encompasses activities to document Air Forces historical activities. Historian personnel are involved in researching, writing, editing, and organizing historical data; maintaining historical files and repositories; conducting interviews; historical studies; documenting important deliberations and decisions; and deploying to meet operational contingency and wartime requirements to document significant events and submit historical reports. back to top

Performs, supervises, and manages military equal opportunity (MEO) and human relations education (HRE) programs. Conducts administrative functions to support MEO programs. back to top

Performs and manages munitions production and materiel tasks and activities. Identifies munitions and equipment requirements. Operates and maintains automated data processing equipment (ADPE) to perform munitions accounting, computations, and research. Stores, maintains, assembles, issues, and delivers assembled nonnuclear munitions. Complies with explosive, missile, and ground safety, security, and environmental directives and practices. Receives, stores, handles, and transports nuclear weapons. back to top

When a doctor looks at an X-ray, they are "seeing" inside our bodies. The Air Force uses similar methods to inspect the insides of metal objects. As a Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) Apprentice, your job will require you to identify possible defects in Air Force equipment.

You will determine what test method to use, and prepare fluids and parts for inspection. Once you've completed the test, you will interpret the results and provide information about any defects you found to the repair center. You will analyze wear metal content on engine lubricating oil and other fluids and recommend corrective action. You will also establish radiation areas for radiographic operations, compute and monitor personal exposure areas for radiographic operations, and monitor personnel exposure data.

You could be performing NDI on structures, components, and systems. You will be able to detect cracks, delaminations, voids, processing defects, and heat damage. Some of the tests you'll use could be penetrates, eddy current, magnetic particle, radiographic, optical, or ultrasonic.

Additionally, you'll operate, maintain, and inspect the nondestructive equipment and perform operator maintenance and service inspections on shop equipment and tools. You'll be trained in characteristics of metals identification, detecting metal discontinuities and flaws, radiological safety and radiation monitoring procedures, and interpreting technical orders and directives. back to top

This intelligence specialty involves collecting, analyzing, and producing intelligence information as well as the development and construction of target materials in support of combat mission planning and execution. Intelligence information collected by all sources must be evaluated to determine if it is accurate and then disseminated to appropriate levels of command. Automated Systems (Combat Intelligence System, Automated Message Handling Systems, Personal Computers) are the most often used methods to collect, analyze and store large amounts of intelligence information. Databases are created for enemy forces, equipment, location, and capabilities to aid all levels of command in target selection, mission planning, and combat mission execution.

Intelligence information must be delivered to commanders and aircrews through intelligence briefings (current intelligence briefing, threat-of-the-day briefing, situation and mission briefings) at all levels of operation. You will participate in this mission planning from the selection of a target, construction of mission route charts, choosing navigational aids such as radar offset aim-points, and providing imagery support materials to the assessment of bomb impact points. back to top

You will write and edit news for internal and civilian newspapers. You will maintain liaison with local and regional civic leaders to better military civilian relations. You will assist in the development of informational and news material for base newspapers, guides, bulletin boards, and commanders calls. You will be writing editorials, sport stories, and reporting on news events. You will be reviewing speeches, news releases, tapes, motion picture films, and photographs. You will make up newspapers, prepare layouts, read and correct proofs, and coordinate with the publisher for distribution and circulation. back to top

You will construct, maintain, plan, and repair wooden, masonry, and concrete buildings and structures. You will construct and repair concrete footings, foundations, walls, floor slabs, piers, and columns for prefabricated and permanent structures. You will erect framework by placing, joining, and fastening sills, joists, sub-floors, studs, rafters, trusses, and wall and roof sheathing using hardware and fastening devices. You will install interior and exterior trim and finishing materials. You will lay structures according to blueprints, building plans, and other directives. You will apply mastics, repair or construct mortar beds and install floor and wall tile. You will adjust, troubleshoot, repair, and install locking devices on security containers.

You will install, construct, repair, and modify structures that are made of sheet metal. In addition, you will cut, measure, and join pieces using metal cutters, benders, and riveting equipment. You will also cut and join steel sections by using gas and electric welding equipment. Some things you may be working on include shower stalls, corrosion-resistant tables, fireproof partitions, metal roofing, metal siding, and guttering. You will inspect, maintain, and repair overhead, roll-up, personnel, hangar doors, and gates. back to top

Survival instructors undergo intense training in the following areas: instructional methods and skills, wilderness living, shelter construction, fire building, map and compass navigation, backpacking, food and water procurement, wilderness medicine and basic first aid, signaling and rescue techniques, escape and evasion, and prisoner of war (POW) resistance techniques. You train in all major climactic conditions; arctic, desert, tropical, ocean, and temperate. Survival Instructors are self-motivated go-getters responsible for teaching skills that save lives. You will be in a very physically, mentally, and technically demanding career field facing new challenges daily. back to top

Supervises and performs vehicle and vehicular equipment maintenance activities and functions, including diagnostics, repairs, rebuilding components and assemblies and fabrication of parts. Ensures compliance with vehicle maintenance policies, directives, and procedures. back to top

In this job, you will be an active participant in maintaining a clean environment. You will operate, maintain, and repair water collection, supply, and treatment plants and systems; and wastewater treatment plants and systems. You will perform analysis on water and wastewater samples to comply with Environmental Protection Agency guidance. Also, training will be given in the operation and setting up of field water purification units as well as field water distribution systems and waste water collection and disposal. Your civilian equivalent would be a municipal water/waste water treatment plant operator. back to top

You will perform technical nursing duties involving the care and treatment of patients. In an inpatient care setting, you will perform nursing care duties such as feeding, bathing, and moving patients. You will assemble, operate, and maintain medical equipment such as oxygen delivery equipment, intravenous controllers, fetal monitors, suction machines, and electrocardiograph recorders. You will measure and record vital signs. You will administer medications under the supervision of a physician or a nurse. You will draw blood samples. You will perform the routine collection of urine, fecal materials, and other bodily secretions for laboratory examination. You will prepare patients for surgery and perform post-operative monitoring. You will assist in the delivery and care of newborns. In a clinic setting, you will prepare patients for examination and assist physicians with treatments and procedures. You will prepare and order linens and supplies. In an emergency room setting, you will drive an ambulance and perform lifesaving care measures for the sick and injured. back to top