Metals technicians work with precision

John Crabtree, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace structural welder, cuts a piece of metal at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 12, 2023. The metals technicians on Kadena fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Air Force Airman Patrick Miller, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentice, welds two pieces of metal at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. Metals technicians utilize precise and accurate machinery to fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Deandre Hurtado, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technician, conducts metal fabrication on a nut at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. The 18th EMS metals technology facility fabricates ground and aerial machine components for multilateral operations as well as Kadena. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Logan Stebenne, left, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology journeyman, and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ethan Way, 18th EMS metals technician, fabricate a nut at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. The 18th EMS metals technology facility fabricates ground and aerial machine components for multilateral operations as well as Kadena. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

John Crabtree, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace structural welder, conducts corrosion repairs on a generator component at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. The metals technicians on Kadena fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dustin Haggard, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department aviation mechanic, practices welding stainless steel at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. Joint forces train and learn from each other to remain postured to deter, deny and defeat any threat to regional stability, Japan and the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Air Force Airman Patrick Miller, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentice, uses a micrometer to measure a cutting tool at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. The 18th EMS fabrication flight is capable of producing mission essential aircraft components with meticulous precision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Connor Trawick, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician, operates a lathe at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 23, 2023. The 18th EMS fabrication flight is capable of producing mission essential aircraft components with meticulous precision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Metals technicians work with precision

Published Sept. 20, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

Metals Technicians at the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabricate and weld machine components to practice and produce components for machinery at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Metals technicians must ensure they maintain the highest standards of their skill for fabrication operations on aircraft and equipment.