PMEL calibrates Nellis mission Published April 22, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Whitney Jackson Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Air Force is filled with Airmen who have specialty jobs which both support directly and indirectly its global objectives. Some of these Airmen turn wrenches; some fly planes and others do the paperwork which keeps account for every person and piece of equipment needed to accomplish the mission. One shop at Nellis touches every aspect of the Air Force mission. These 43 Airmen are responsible for everything from the calibration of weight equipment used by the 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron, to the repair of equipment used to test control panels used in the newest Air Force jets. The Precision Measurement Equipment Lab Airmen are technicians responsible for the repair, calibration, and modifications of measurement equipment in the Air Force. "PMEL is the backbone of all the maintenance squadrons; everything goes through us first," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Holman, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron PMEL section supervisor. All equipment used in the military, from the smallest screw to the weapons, use measurement scales to properly work for their given function. PMEL's job is to ensure the measurement tools used to check these items for safe use and installation is working properly itself. PMEL uses an 85 percent standard to determine if an item should be repaired or discontinued. If the item works at 85 percent efficiency when brought in to be repaired, then minor tweaks are made to ensure the safety of the calibrating item. However, if it falls below the 85 percent minimum standard, it's necessary to dismantle the item to see if parts can be repaired to make it efficient enough for Air Force use. "We work to get all of our equipment perfect," Sergeant Holman said. "If one thing goes bad it could affect countless Airmen in the field. We are talking about lives here." PMEL is composed of three sections: K3/K4; K1/K8; and K5/K6. The K3/K4 section maintains frequency counters, oscilloscopes, synthesized signal generators and power sensors. K1/K8 maintains digital multi-meters, high voltage probes and resistance standards. Lastly, K5/K6 deals with truck scales, pressure gauges, optics and micrometers. Each section is manned by Airmen who have shown the most proficiency in a certain area. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Blair's area of responsibility is within the K6 physical dimensions section. Although he is certified to work in each section of the shop, he exceeded the most in this particular area. There are 12 technicians who work with him in the K6 section who each complete approximately 1,000 to 2,000 items every year in their section alone. "I don't double-check their work unless they fail an inspection," Sergeant Blair said. "It's not like that in most maintenance career fields. We have 6,700 to 7,000 different types of equipment annually that they are expected to know." To become certified in all PMEL areas, Airmen must first attend one year of technical training following their completion of basic military training. After technical school, each Airman completes 12 months of in-depth on-the-job training along with four volumes of Career Development Courses. These courses, along with the additional training, give them the tools needed to be proficient in the 54 areas in which they are required to be certified. "This is a very difficult job; it's not like others where you finish training and know everything," Sergeant Holman said. "Airmen in this field are constantly learning new things about their job throughout their entire career." As the world's greatest Air Force is constantly changing and adapting, the PMEL Airmen are always sharpening their skills and abilities to keep the gears turning smoothly, safely and efficiently.
