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Special Mission Aviator: Jack of all trades

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE, N.D. --  "To be in this career field, you have to want it."

For Staff Sgt. Zachary Zilm, 54th Helicopter Squadron special missions aviator instructor, the thought of performing rescue missions was one of the biggest draws to this career field.

Zilm, a native of Tucson, Arizona, joined the U. S. Air Force six years ago as crew chief on the C-5 Galaxy. His first assignment was Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. However, in 2011, he wanted to broaden his Air Force experience, so he retrained.

"I just got tired of turning a wrench," said Zilm. "I also wanted to be part of the mission and have a greater opportunity to help people."

As an SMA instructor Zilm is the safety observer and systems expert for the aircraft.

"We're a jack of all trades, helping out with anything needed to accomplish the mission regarding all facets of flight," said Staff Sgt. Jake Gornbein, 54th HS SMA, who retrained into this career field in 2012. Gorbein is a native of South Windsor, Connecticut, and has been in the Air Force for seven years.

As enlisted aircrew members, some of their duties include various flight inspections.

"If we have an emergency, I am the one who is responsible for knowing what is happening with the aircraft to recommend the best option to land safely," Zilm said. "As a back-ender for helicopters, I am also required to run the rescue hoist and act as gunner."

On an average flying day, SMAs begin with an aircraft preflight check.

"The preflight is a very specific checklist for inspecting the aircraft to make sure it is air worthy for the period it will be flying," Zilm said. "This is the inspection where major components are checked for wear and tear, security, proper operation and fluids."

After preflight, the SMA computes the aircraft weight and balance.

"This is completed based on aircraft configuration," Zilm said. "Once weight and balance is found, I then find out the aircraft performance numbers known as Take Off and Landing Data, or TOLD."

Using weight, temperature and pressure altitude, they can find out things like how fast the aircraft can go, or more importantly, how much power is required to hover and take off.

"I then attend the briefing for the flight where every requirement for the flight is briefed," Zilm said. "After the briefing we start up and go fly either training or security missions."

Although SMAs stationed here have a strictly at home mission and are not deployable, it is extremely important, Zilm added.

"We are the backbone for getting the specialized fighting force to the fight," said Zilm. "The other side of our job is rescue and saving lives, which will always be important." The special mission aviators mission at Minot AFB is 24/7 Nuclear Security for not only the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron convoys section but the missile field as well. "We are responsible for bringing the fight with our 91st Security Forces Support Squadron tactical response force.," said Zilm. "If there is a security situation in the missile field, we will be there."

Special mission aviation, a fairly new career field, was split off from flight engineers to create specialized Airmen.

"In Minot, my sole purpose is to be the best at nuclear security and accomplish whatever is required for that mission," Zilm said.

With the exception of missile bases, SMAs are used mainly in Combat Search and Rescue with the HH-60 Black Hawk and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. They are also used as gun loaders in the C-130 gunships.

"Flying will always be the best part of the job. Nothing can beat sitting on the edge of the cargo compartment with your legs hanging out in the wind," Zilm said. "The pride you feel when saving someone or helping to create closure for a family is indescribable."