Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, welds pieces of aluminum at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. The aircraft metals technology shop repairs or replaces aircraft parts by welding or fabricating new parts from scratch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, ignites a welding gun at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. The aircraft metals technology shop repairs or replaces aircraft parts by welding or fabricating new parts from scratch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, ignites a welding gun at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. The aircraft metals technology shop repairs or replaces aircraft parts by welding or fabricating new parts from scratch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, assembles a welding gun at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. The aircraft metals technology shop repairs or replaces aircraft parts by welding or fabricating new parts from scratch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, dons her welding helmet at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. The welding helmet provides protection for the eyes, face and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet light, sparks, infrared light and heat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, welds pieces of certifying metal together at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. Aircraft metal technology Airmen use certifying metal to practice their welding techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Airman 1st Class Morgan Williams, an aircraft metals technology apprentice with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, looks over her finished welding work at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016. Aircraft metal technology Airmen use welding to repair cracks and other various damages in aircraft parts to avoid having to order brand new parts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson)

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Aircraft Metals Technology keeps aircraft flying

Published Oct. 13, 2016
By Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The Aircraft Metals Technology flight with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron uses welding, milling machines and sheet metal to repair and fabricate aircraft parts in order to avoid having to purchase new parts from the manufacturer. Being able to repair or create new parts on base saves the Air Force time and money and gets the aircraft back in the air.