Making sheet metal fly

by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Senior Airman Ian Michaels, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, rolls a piece of metal through a machine to give it curvature July 5 on Ramstein. The aircraft structural maintenance shop uses machines like the roller to give aircraft parts, such as hull and wing pieces, the precise curvature to replace damaged parts.

Senior Airman Houston Roberts, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, uses a vice and cutoff wheel to cut through a piece of steel July 5 on Ramstein. When aircraft on Ramstein need new sheet metal parts, the aircraft structural maintenance shop uses a variety of cutting, crimping, and shaping tools to repair or manufacture those parts in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

Airman 1st Class Aarien Foster, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, uses a slip roller to arc a piece of metal July 5 on Ramstein.

Airman 1st Class Luke Gibson, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, uses aviation snips to pare down a piece of metal he is preparing to shape July 5 on Ramstein. When aircraft on Ramstein need new sheet metal parts, the aircraft structural maintenance shop uses a variety of cutting, crimping, and shaping tools to manufacture those parts in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

Airman 1st Class Luke Gibson, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, shapes a piece of metal around the template for a C-130 inner flap rib July 5 on Ramstein. The aircraft structural maintenance shop helps maintain the hull structure of aircraft on Ramstein by repairing or replicating damaged sheet metal parts.