LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- No pilot wishes to have to rely on it, but in the unexpected event of an emergency, the one thing they have to trust is their parachute.
With rigorous standards and meticulous attention to detail, the 47th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) Aircrew Flight Equipment's (AFE) parachute shop prepares and maintains hundreds of parachutes to ensure they are ready incase of an emergency whenever pilots take to the air.
“There are no reserve parachutes for these aircraft,” said Senior Airman Aiden Oldfield, 47th Operations Support Squadron NCOIC Fit Section, “[The packed parachute] has to work because it is the only option for pilots when they eject. [It] will be out on the flightline for up to 3 to 4 years, so they need to be packed well.”
Parachutes are stored on the ejection seats of the aircraft, ensuring the seats and aircraft are ready to go at all times.
Each parachute undergoes a thorough inspection for rips, tears, out of date components, or worn-out pieces, before being packed. Every packer must complete extensive training and certifications to handle this critical task.
“We are very meticulous, following the technical orders step by step, word by word, line by line through the whole book,” said Julio Martinez, 47th OSS parachute shop section chief. “Our quality control ensures that everything is done right.”
The shop supports pilot training for various aircraft, including the T-6 Texan II and T-38C Talon. The flying operations at Laughlin perform at a high tempo, so the demand for reliable parachutes is constant.
“We pack around 170 parachutes a year,” said Martinez. “Each parachute takes about a week to pack, and we take pride in our job. We must ensure our parachutes are packed well because it’s your last resort when you are ejecting out of [the aircraft].”
The mission of the parachute shop extends beyond merely packing parachutes; it embodies the commitment to excellence that characterizes the Air Force’s training programs. Each packed parachute represents a promise to the pilots that they will have the best possible equipment during their training and, ultimately, in real-life operations.
As Laughlin continues to train the next generation of Air Force pilots, the importance of the parachute shop remains undeniable. By ensuring that every parachute is packed with precision and care, the shop contributes significantly to the overall safety and peace of mind of every pilot.
“[The Airmen in this shop] have been doing this for years, I’ve been doing this for years, but we still treat it with the same respect as when we first arrived,” said Oldfield. “[Parachute rigging] isn’t just another thing that needs to get done; I’m going to be on top of my wingman just like they are on top of me, delivering a solid product to our wingmen out on the flightline.”