Making sparks for parts

A welder’s helmet rests on a workstation in the Metals Technology Workshop after use at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. The metals technology shop performs maintenance work with welding and machining equipment to keep Kadena’s aircraft mission-ready, and repair equipment for various on-base agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeff Le, left, and Airman 1st Class Demetri Varelas, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentices, weld a hole close on a metal structure at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Metals technicians utilize precise and accurate machinery to fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron prepare a computer numerical control milling machine for use at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Like most milling machines, a CNC mill produces a final piece of equipment by carving away from a block of material. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

A computer numerical control milling machine creates a pocketing hole for a drum hoist fixture at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. The 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technology facility fabricates ground and aerial machine components for multilateral operations as well as Kadena. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicolas Flores, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology journeyman, cuts into a piece of metal with a sliding miter saw at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. The 18th EMS metals technology facility fabricates ground and aerial machine components for Kadena as well as multilateral operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicolas Flores, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology journeyman, aligns a lathe machine to fabricate a part for a torque wrench adapter at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Metals technicians utilize precise and accurate machinery to fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicolas Flores, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology journeyman, monitors a lathe machine as it fabricates a part for a torque wrench adapter at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Metals technicians utilize precise and accurate machinery to fabricate metal components for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher McLaughlin, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentice, sharpens a chisel on a belt sharpener at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Metals technicians are responsible for regularly checking and maintaining their equipment to ensure they are fully functioning for day-to-day operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher McLaughlin, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentice, checks the edge of a chisel with an angle checker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Metals technicians are responsible for regularly checking and maintaining their equipment to ensure they are fully functioning for day-to-day operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher McLaughlin, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology apprentice, runs the edge of a chisel on a deburr machine after sharpening at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2024. Deburring is a finishing process that removes sharp edges, burrs, fins or inconsistencies from materials such as metals materials or tools. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Making sparks for parts

Published Sept. 5, 2024
By Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s metals technology facility technicians utilize precise machinery to fabricate ground and aerial machine components for multilateral and on-base operations by ensuring mission readiness at all times.