News Search

Seymour Johnson Airmen maintain aircraft preparedness during exercise Razor Talon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado-Suarez
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Each month, the 4th Fighter Wing hosts Air Combat Command’s premier East Coast large-force exercise, Razor Talon, involving Air Force and joint services from across the U.S.

More than 2,000 men and women assigned to the 4th Maintenance Group ensure each F-15E is prepared to carry out the mission.

“The maintainers’ role in Razor Talon is to provide operators with reliable and ready aircraft for the exercise,” said Tech. Sgt. Justin Mirante, 336th Fighter Squadron flightline expediter. “We are supplying mission-capable aircraft for our aircrew, so they can accomplish their mission.”

Due to the significance of ensuring service members are prepared to conduct potentially sensitive overseas contingency operations, it is important each jet is maintained properly. In order to do this, 4th MXG maintainers work tirelessly day or night, to ensure the safety, reliability and capability of every Team Seymour aircraft.

During high-intensity exercises such as Razor Talon, they sometimes work more than 12 hours on a single aircraft to ensure its preparedness.

“If we as maintainers can’t provide a safe and reliable aircraft, then operations couldn’t happen. Without us, there wouldn’t be any mission-ready aircraft,” said Senior Airman Tanner Collins, 336th Fighter Squadron crew chief.

Razor Talon acts as a unique opportunity for 4th MXG maintainers to push their limits and prepare as if they are conducting real-world contingency operations.

“I feel great about [Razor Talon],” Mirante said. “It’s a unique exercise, because it provides the opportunity to work with our joint brothers and sisters along the nation and prepares us for any upcoming deployments along with any unforeseen conflicts in the future.”