Civilian employee mends textiles in parachute fabrication shop

Photo By Stephenie Wade | James Knake tests the air pressure and repacks C-21 floatation devices in the parachute and fabrication shop on Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Feb. 5, 2014. His daily duties entail repairing and repacking C-21 floatation equipment and anti-exposure suits. Knake is a 375th Operations Support Squadron, survival and fabrication technician and native of Harvard, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)  

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, UNITED STATES

02.12.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade 

375th Air Mobility Wing

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Have you ever been to the gym and a seat was missing from the weight bench? More than likely the seat wasn't broken, but was sent to the 375th Operations Support Squadron parachute and fabrication shop here to be fixed.

James Knake is a 375th OSS survival and fabrication technician, and one of the many skills he brings to his job is sewing. So when the gym equipment seats are in need of repair, the 375th Force Support Squadron schedules a time to bring them to him.

"My main job involves design, layout and sewing of various equipment and base-wide local manufacturing items," said Knake.

"I also inspect, repair and re-pack flotation equipment and anti-exposure suits used on the C-21 aircraft. When I am not busy with this, I help with side projects. For example, I've helped design C-21 wheel covers, re-covered base gym equipment and repaired U.S. and organizational flags on base. I spend about 10 hours a week on side projects and by making these repairs, I save the base more than $100,000 annually."

Knake served 18 years active duty before beginning his civilian service here. He first attained his sewing skills 23 years ago in technical school at the former Chanute Air Force Base in central Illinois. Coincidently, Scott was one of his first bases as a survival and fabrication airman.

"I enjoy the atmosphere of the aircrew fight equipment survival career field," said Knake. "Our job is crucial, and attention to detail is a must, because other people's lives are in our hands."

In 2007 the aircrew life support and survival equipment career fields merged into a single organization. Prior to the merger, the survival equipment career field were the only ones taught basic sewing skills.

"I've been privileged to work with two of the finest craftsman around," said the native of Harvard, Ill. "They showed me anything I wanted to learn about the trade. Now I am back here in a very fortunate work environment where I can teach other aircrew flight equipment technicians the skills I acquired as a survival technician."

• Date Taken: 02.12.2014
• Date Posted: 02.12.2014 16:56
• Story ID: 120535
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US
• Hometown: HARVARD, IL, US