Airmen keep F-16s airborne during Balikatan 2009

  • Published
  • By Marine Lance Cpl. Cristina Noelia Gil
  • Marine Forces Pacific Public Affairs
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Philippines (AFNS) --  Air Force maintainers are keeping fighter pilots ready to go during Exercise Balikatan 2009 here.

Balikatan, which in English means "shoulder to shoulder," is an annual joint bilateral exercise designed to improve U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines combined planning, combat readiness and interoperability for a wide range of operations.

To assist pilots during Balikatan 2009, maintainers from the 56th Fighter Wing from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., have a top priority of safety for the pilots and aircraft. Before, during and after a flight, crew chiefs are responsible for maintaining the aircraft, observing its safety and providing flight maintenance.

"Just like the F-16 (Fighting Falcon) can fly through any weather, we also need to be prepared to fight through the elements to ensure the aircraft are always in the best condition," said Senior Airman Matthew Golitko, a 63rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief.

The air component participation in Balikatan 2009, was planned and organized by 13th Air Force officials at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. This participation includes more than six fighter aircraft and 143 personnel from 30 Air Force specialties.

"They are the guys who help us ensure our birds are safe and properly maintained," said Maj. Tom Courtney, an F-16 pilot from the 56th FW. "They have the skills needed to identify possible issues and fix them before they cause any damage."

To highlight the contributions Air Force maintainers make to every mission, the name of each crew chief is painted on the aircraft they are charged to maintain, right alongside the pilot's hatch.

"We are the last people to see them before they takeoff and the first to greet them when they return," said Airman Golitko, a native of Cleveland. "Having our names painted on the aircraft symbolizes how important the crew chief is to the mission and is a great source of pride for all of us."

Throughout Balikatan 2009, Philippine and U.S. military maintenance personnel and pilots have been working together to learn about each other's aircraft. The pilots have also used the time to gain more flight experience in a foreign sky.

"It has been a very helpful and positive experience," Major Courtney said. "It is better to be here with the the Philippine air force, learning how they do things and what they work with than to be on the other side of the world just hearing about it."

The crew chief's mission is a small part of the much larger picture of the exercise. Balakatan 2009, scheduled through April 30, consists of three simultaneous events. Event one includes humanitarian and civic assistance events designed to improve U.S. and Philippine military civic action cooperation. During this event United States and Philippine medical personnel will conduct multiple medical, dental, veterinary and engineering civic action projects.

Phase two is a scenario-based staff exercise which focuses on joint force management at the headquarters levels, while phase three involves cross training and field training exercises.

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