"Attention to detail" is a phrase that can mean different things to different people, but for the aircrew survival equipmentmen (PR) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), it means the difference between life and death for the aircrewmen who embark with us.

The aircrew survival shop aboard Abraham Lincoln is owned by aviation intermediate maintenance department's (AIMD) IM-2 division. They maintain all of the aviation life support equipment for the attached air wing.

Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Carlos Hunter, who has been in the rate for 20 years, said that PRs service equipment such as parachutes, inflatable life preservers, life rafts, and oxygen systems that keep pilots alert and alive while performing high-altitude operations or agressive maneuvers.

Aircrew survival equipmentmen, commonly known as parachute riggers, primarily maintained parachutes in the past. Now that they maintain all of the survival equipment for pilots and aircrew, the weight of their job has increased drastically.

"I believe we have one of the most important jobs out there," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Timothy Dickman. "When a pilot is going down, you're the last person to let them down. Our gear is what they use when the worst-case scenario arises."

While PRs maintain mission essential survival equipment, they also do alterations and repairs.

"Part of our job is to repair flight equipment and that includes flight suits and some of the gear that they wear which would require us to sew. So sometimes we tailor gear," said Hunter. "One of the biggest misconceptions about our rate is that our main job is to sew things, so a lot of the time we have people ask us to tailor their pants or sew a patch on. We don't mind doing that, but that's not our only job."

PRs go through an extensive 12-week "A" school at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. They study aviation basic theory and basic skills required for their rating by completing group instruction and practical applications. Upon graduating, PRs can expect to be sent to a squadron, ship, or a naval air station.

From the smallest stitch to the largest parachute, every job must be performed with diligence and attention to detail in order to ensure the safety of our aircrewmen.

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