Three accidents; two Nellis Airmen; one chance to get it right

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Cia Newman
  • Air Warfare Center Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) --  Imagine being responsible for the lives of some of the world’s best fighter pilots. Now imagine being only 21 and 22 years old. For many Airmen, this is not a reality, but for two in particular, it is all in a day’s work.

Airmen 1st Class John Schmidt and Brandon Pirmann are assigned to the 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s survival equipment flight here. One of their jobs is to pack a 28-foot parachute so tightly that it fits into a compartment not much larger than a shoe box. The only time their attention to detail is tested is three seconds after the pilot has ejected from his aircraft.

“Unfortunately, we don’t see the fruits of our labor until it’s a life or death situation, when the pilot has to eject from the aircraft,” said Tech. Sgt. Brian Rutlege, 57th EMS survival equipment floor supervisor. “Some Airmen go their entire careers and their chutes are never used, so to have three saves in one year gives you mixed feelings.”

In the past six months Nellis had three aircraft accidents involving an F/A-22 Raptor, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although all were individual incidents, they shared one connection -- the parachutes they used were packed by the same Airmen.

To the average person, the task of packing parachutes might seem tedious, but to these Airmen it is a job that can mean the difference between life or death.

“Every day you have to be on top of your game,” Airman Schmidt said. “In our job if you become too lax, someone could die.”

Their jobs consist of ensuring each parachute meets Air Force serviceability and installation guidelines.

The chute is packed into a container which is smaller than 1 cubic foot, the suspension lines are carefully tucked into the stowage flutes, and the risers are rigged so they can be attached to the pilot’s harness.

“You never think that one day the chute you pack would be the one that a pilot has to use,” Airman Schmidt said. “But that’s why you have to be confident in what you do, follow the technical order exactly and pay attention to details.”

Packing one chute can take an entire day, they said. So the best way to get the job done and still meet deadline is through teamwork.

“We packed the chute for the F/A-22 and F-15 aircraft incidents together,” Airman Pirmann said. “By teaming up, you can usually finish one parachute in two to three hours.”

The survival equipment flight has about 200 fighter aircraft parachutes that process through the section each year.

“Because of the violence of the ejection sequence, if the chutes are packed within even 1 to 2 inches off from what the guidelines state, it could mean the pilot not safely getting (to) the ground after ejecting,” Sergeant Rutlege said. “So we stress to every Airman how important it is to, ‘get it right the first time.’ If the chute is not ready, it could stop that pilot from taking off.”

The Airmen may have started their careers by leaving a legacy, the said it is all in a day’s work.

“Our jobs are no different than anyone else’s in the Air Force; we all contribute in one way or another to saving lives,” Airman Schmidt said.

“Not everyone gets to see the results of their job. Although the aircraft incidents were unfortunate, it felt good to know what you do every day has a direct impact on helping a pilot return to his family,” Airman Pirmann said. “It makes what we do all worth it in the end.”