In the scorching summer heat of the Gobi Desert, a military air force unit was about to begin a strategic training exercise. Inside the aircraft hangar, power and air conditioning vehicles were parked beneath the wings of a specific type of fighter jet. Mechanic Tang Tao was leading the maintenance personnel through the final checks before takeoff.

“The hangar was subjected to ‘enemy’ fire, causing damage to the aircraft, and some maintenance personnel were injured!” Just as this was happening, a critical situation arose. Upon receiving the order, Tang Tao quickly contacted other crew members and mobilized maintenance personnel to fill the gaps. Subsequently, the officers and soldiers worked together to complete the necessary operations, ensuring the aircraft could successfully take off. What surprised me was that the maintenance personnel who were hastily brought in to fill the gaps were normally responsible for maintaining a different type of aircraft.

“Multi-aircraft comprehensive maintenance is not just about fulfilling flight support tasks; it’s also about preparing for unexpected situations that may arise on the battlefield.” The department leader told me that in recent years, it has become common for multiple types of aircraft to be stationed and trained in multiple locations, including two, three, or even multiple locations. This has raised high demands for the maintenance and support capabilities of the aircraft. To address this, they have broken down the barriers between different types of aircraft and explored the implementation of a cross-type training mechanism. Through training in various roles, they aim to cultivate the comprehensive support capabilities of both officers and soldiers.

Initially, some officers and soldiers believed, “Maintaining aircraft equipment is a meticulous task. It’s already challenging to master one type of aircraft.” Others harbored doubts, wondering, “Would cross-type maintenance lead to a situation where everything is vaguely understood but not thoroughly mastered?” In response to these differing views, the Party Committee of the unit was resolute: “Matters related to combat effectiveness must not be delayed or put off.”

The department broke away from its traditional training model, selecting capable and skilled core personnel who were among the first to participate in cross-type training for various aircraft models. They compiled instruction manuals tailored to different models, with experienced mechanics providing “one-on-one” guidance to help maintenance personnel accelerate their ability upgrades. Regular assessments of maintenance personnel’s cross-type operational skills were organized, with those who passed moving on to the “release order” support phase, while those who failed continued to participate in cross-type training. A “comprehensive set of measures” was implemented, resulting in an increasing number of maintenance personnel who were proficient in supporting multiple aircraft models.

Fan Qi, one of the first individuals to participate in intensive training across different aircraft models, was originally a seasoned core member responsible for ensuring the readiness of a specific type of fighter aircraft. For the first time, he was assigned to a squadron of a specific type of fighter jet for intensive training. He was genuinely uncertain about what to expect. To keep up with the training pace and quickly achieve skill upgrades, Fan Qi devoted himself to the crew during the day, practicing operational techniques under the guidance of the instructor mechanic. At night, he worked overtime to study mechanical principles. After half a year, his training notes filled two large notebooks, and he had essentially mastered the maintenance and support skills for that specific type of fighter jet.

The deeper one delves into the subject, the more they realize that certain fundamental theories are interconnected, with differences primarily manifesting in the details. By truly immersing oneself in the subject matter, one can gain a broad understanding of related concepts. Today, having gained experience in various roles, Fan Qi is capable of handling the maintenance and support tasks for Type 3 fighter aircraft.

The intensive training across different aircraft models has expanded the personal capabilities of the aircraft maintenance personnel, enhancing their understanding of the support processes for other types of aircraft. The coordination between different crew support personnel has become more seamless. As cross-type missions become more frequent, Fan Qi often works alongside aircraft maintenance personnel from different crews to perform support tasks. “The cross-type intensive training has taught me what the other side wants and where the challenges in support lie. With just a gesture or a reminder, we can ‘communicate effectively.’” he confidently stated.

It is understood that the department has produced a large number of skilled maintenance personnel who are proficient in multiple aircraft models and disciplines. Several crews now possess the capability to maintain and repair aircraft of more than two different types. Building upon this foundation, they have extended this innovative training model to include pilot training, thereby facilitating the transition of the pilot corps toward “multi-aircraft proficiency.” In recent years, the department has successfully transferred over 100 maintenance personnel and more than a dozen flight specialists to affiliated units. (Looking into the New Era)