Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Yousef Sakhnini, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, observes the engines of a B-52H Stratofortress before takeoff on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Sakhnini workes alongside another crew chief in constant communication with aircrew to ensure any discrepancies are identified and fixed before flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

A B-52H Stratofortress takes flight behind another aircraft waiting to taxi on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Minot currently has 26 B-52H Stratofortresses assigned to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

A mouthpiece used for communicating with aircrew inside a B-52H Stratofortress rests on the shoulder of a 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Aircrew alert crew chiefs to any discrepancies they notice from the cockpit while the crew chiefs let them know what’s happening outside. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Yousef Sakhnini, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, retrieves a second pair of gloves from his bag on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. While working on the flightline, crew chiefs often double up on their cold weather gear to combat Minot’s notoriously low temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

(left) Airman 1st Class Yousef Sakhnini, and (right) Senior Airman Christofer HeltonGomez, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, observe the engines of a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Sakhnini and HeltonGomez ensures all systems are operating properly before the aircraft takes off. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Senior Airman Sergei Amos, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, speaks to the aircrew of a B-52H Stratofortress through a mouthpiece on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Amos relays preflight check information to the crew and addresses any discrepancies they notice from the cockpit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

B-52H Stratofortresses line the flightline on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Minot currently has 26 B-52H Stratofortresses assigned to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

The engines of a B-52H Stratofortress blast away snow on the flightline on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. During start up, maintenance Airmen and aircrew members must remain vigilant to avoid injury from debri and blowing snow. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Trenton Broge, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, works on landing gear on the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Crew chiefs work diligently before takeoff and after landing to ensure their aircraft are in perfect flying condition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Yousef Sakhnini, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, waits to give taxi directions to a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Before taxi Sakhnini performed preflight checks on the engines and operating systems of the aircraft with the assistance of aircrew members and other crew chiefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

A ground heater is attached to the hitch on a “bread truck” on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. The heater was used to warm the engines before they were turned on. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Senior Airman Sergei Amos, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, motions for a ground heater to be picked up on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. The heater was used to warm the engines before they were turned on. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Zachary Jensen, 5th Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman, adjusts a hydraulic jack under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Jensen and his team use the jack during a tip gear operation check. Tip gear protects the wings of the aircraft from damage as they flex during landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airman 1st Class Zachary Jensen, 5th Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman, adjusts a hydraulic jack under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Jensen and his team use the jack during a tip gear operation check. Tip gear protects the wings of the aircraft from damage as they flex during landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Airmen from the 5th Maintenance Squadron reposition a hydraulic jack under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. The jack is used during a tip gear operation check. Tip gear protects the wings of the aircraft from damage as they flex during landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Cold fog filters past a B-52H Stratofortress on the flightline on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. The aircraft underwent several preflight checks prior to takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Flightline operations

Published Feb. 11, 2015
By Senior Airman Stephanie Morris
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Crew chiefs and maintenance Airmen work side-by-side to keep the mission going at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Crew chiefs conducted several preflight checks prior to Aircraft takeoff while maintenance Airmen busied themselves with minor repairs and inspections. (U.S. Air Force photos Senior Airman/Stephanie Morris)