4th EMS and Repair and reclamation

• Unit Overview: The 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron (4th EMS) is a key support unit for the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, providing maintenance and repair for a wide variety of aircraft and ground equipment. • Role of Repair and Reclamation (R&R): The Repair and Reclamation section specializes in aircraft structural repairs, major component replacements, and recovering aircraft that have sustained damage or become inoperable. • Supporting the F-15E Strike Eagle: The 4th EMS's R&R shop is crucial for maintaining the F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, handling everything from landing gear changes to battle damage repair. • Rapid Response Teams: Members of the R&R section are often deployed as part of Crash Recovery Teams, responding to in-flight emergencies, ground accidents, or aircraft mishaps both on and off base. • Wide-Ranging Capabilities: The 4th EMS R&R team is trained to work on hydraulics, flight controls, landing gear, and can even perform field-level repairs on deployed aircraft under austere conditions. • Historic Deployments: The 4th EMS and its R&R section have supported operations in multiple major conflicts, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. • Aircraft Recovery Stories: The R&R team has been called upon to recover aircraft from difficult situations, such as retrieving a jet stuck in mud after a runway excursion, often using specialized equipment and ingenuity. • Crash Recovery Drills: The squadron regularly conducts intensive training exercises simulating aircraft accidents, including safely lifting, towing, and repairing heavily damaged jets without causing further harm. • Preserving Air Superiority: By keeping jets mission-ready and rapidly returning downed or damaged aircraft to service, the 4th EMS R&R section plays a vital role in maintaining the U.S. Air Force's combat capabilities. • Unit Motto: The 4th EMS embraces a “Fix it or Find a Way” mentality, reflecting their commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring aircraft are always ready for the fight.