Life support aircrew puts pilots', passengers' safety first

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dustin Payne
  • Air Force Print News
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) --  Before passengers are loaded onto the planes, and pilots taxi them for take off, there's a group of Airmen ensuring the safety of those aboard.

Aircrew life support technicians of the 459th Airlift Squadron here check every piece of safety equipment located in the aircraft including survival kits and oxygen systems.

"My responsibility is the lives of the aircrew and their passengers," said Senior Airman Jonita Lassiter. "I inspect the aircraft to make sure the pilots and crew has everything they need to survive during an emergency."

The inspection process doesn't just happen in the aircraft. Technicians inspect the equipment in the back shop before it ever reaches the plane.

"We do a preflight inspection every morning. We do it on the overall kit, and then we do a yearly inspection to make sure it's good for the year. If not, we crack it open back here and inspect it again," said Airman 1st Class Brandon Man.

The work these Airmen do has a direct effect on the mission of the 459th AS.
As a pilot, the work the life support folks do decreases the number of things they have to worry about when they get to the aircraft, said 1st Lt. Kevin Haines.

"Them coming out every morning and inspecting the aircraft and making sure the oxygen mask are clean and work makes the pilot life a lot easier."

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