Keeping them flying; Part 3 of a 3 part behind the scenes series Published Oct. 2, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson 36th Operations Group Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- There's an entire team of elite specialists that work behind the scenes to allow a crew of five aviators to drive a B-52 to its target and place some precision ordnance right where it will ruin a bad guy's day. Some of the things these Airmen are responsible for are jet hydraulics, electro-environmental, communications, navigation and mission systems, electronic warfare, and instrument and flight control systems on one of the most gigantic airframes in the Air Force inventory. And that's just naming a few. "With the B-52 being a 50-year old airframe it's not always easy to work on," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Sears, 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant specialist element section chief. "But my guys make it happen every day." A typical day for a maintainer starts early, according to Senior Airman Jason Stephens, 36th EAMXS. "It usually consists of getting to work at 6 a.m.," he said. "Then it's on to pre-flighting or launching my jet." Airman Stephens said right after the airplanes are airborne, he and his fellow maintainers prepare for their landing. This means inspecting the aircraft once it arrives and getting it ready to fly again before shift change at 6 p.m., said Airman Stephens. It's not a life for the fair weathered minded either. "During the week you might go home one day soaked from head to toe from the absolute downpour that happened when the airplane was taxiing to the parking spot," Airman Stephens said. "Other days you'll go home with a sunburned face." The importance of what the maintainers bring to the fight was echoed by their senior NCO corps. Master Sgt. Wayland Baldwin, 36th EAMXS B-52 lead production superintendent, said he and other maintainers work with Air Force Engineering and Technical Services to come up with innovations that keep the B-52 in the air wherever the mission may take them. "Of course, there were some days that were worse than others," he said. "This is aircraft maintenance on 47-year old bombers we're talking about." Sergeant Baldwin emphasized any mission starts with his troops turning the wrenches. "Quite simply, without maintainers repairing broken aircraft, the pilots would have nothing to fly to put bombs on top of the bad guys," said Sergeant Baldwin. "I'd say that's of equal importance to being a flier. Without us, you're not going anywhere." The deployed B-52 contingent here is schedule to depart for their home station of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., later this month.