• Hydraulics systems allow Air Force planes to brake.aircraft image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
  
  Technical skill and prowess are revered in the Air Force. Several occupations rely on airmen to use technical skills in order to fulfill Air Force mission requirements, whether they are directly related to aircraft operation or as air combat system support. Some of these tech jobs include application specialists, hydraulics systems experts and monitoring weather in austere locations.
  
  

Technical Application Specialist

• Nuclear security is a major Air Force mission. The Technical Application Specialist collects data and performs analysis to help the U.S. develop treaties and research that can aid in this security. These airmen also collect data that is used to monitor technologies related to chemical and biological warfare. Collection methods include the use of satellite imagery, air samplers, seismometers and radio frequencies. Computer training for this job requires instruction in multiple programming languages, such as Windows, UNIX and DOS. Airmen are also taught advanced technical skills involving hydroacaoustics, mechanical physics, chemistry and thermodynamics.
  
  

Special Operations Weather Apprentice

• Many Air Force Special Operations missions take place in austere locations where the weather can play a critical part in mission success. The Special Operations Weather Apprentice could find himself in these locations acquiring weather information and transmitting it through encrypted communication equipment. Airmen also aggregate weather data from radars and weather satellites and learn to interpret imagery and make computerized weather predictions. They sometimes use space saving equipment and travel alongside special operations forces for more effective predictions.
  
  

Aircraft Hydraulics Systems

• Aircraft Hydraulics systems are involved in many aspects of aircraft parts movement, from flaps and slats to braking operations. Hydraulics airmen troubleshoot, maintain, inspect and replace hydraulics-related equipment. They also advise on other systems integrated with hydraulics, such as electrical wiring connected to a jet engine’s hydraulic thrust reverser system. Other aircraft hydraulic systems that airmen would manage include cargo ramp actuation and rudder operation.
  
  

Nondestructive Inspection

• Much like an X-ray technician, the Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) apprentice operates equipment that looks below the surface of metal objects. This helps identify cracks and defects that could cause significant damage to Air Force resources in the future. For example, if NDI airmen inspect jet engine combustion chambers and find material defects, they could prevent the engine from shattering in mid-flight. NDI airmen also analyze wear metal content found in engine oil to help determine which parts are becoming defective.