The “backshops” of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron in Southwest Asia routinely fabricate custom aircraft parts or other equipment when those components are needed quickly or are no longer produced by the manufacturer. SrA. Erik Hofmeyer reports that the aircraft structural maintenance and metals technology technicians of the 379th bend and wrap the metal that covers deployed aircraft, but they also can make metal parts for just about anything, provided they have a sample. (Last fall, we covered similar work performed by airmen of the 332nd EMXS at Balad AB, Iraq.)
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
