RUFit: ‘Maintaining’ a lifestyle

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erin O'Shea
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Over the years, more career fields are opening up to women, yet daily challenges continue to be present in some.

Staff Sgt. Jenean Fischer, a 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew team chief, has spent 10 years developing her toolbox of capabilities that contribute to keeping the F-15E Strike Eagles, mission ready. In order to do so, she has had to rely on her mental and physical abilities to maintain her competitive status.

"I have experienced where people have seen me in a different way," Fischer said. "They don't necessarily treat me differently, but may have a pre-determined judgment because I'm female."

According to Fischer, one of the biggest challenges she has had to overcome is the physical aspect of her job.

"Sometimes I can't reach some of the stuff and have to use a ladder," Fischer joked. "The males can just reach up and do their work. That's the most challenging part for me, but I try my hardest."

Fischer supervises Senior Airman William Leader, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load crew member, who says she is one of the more knowledgeable noncommissioned officers in the shop and is often the go-to maintainer for certain tasks.

"Sgt. Fischer has proven herself time and again on the flightline, and has shown that she is more than capable of doing the same job as any other weapons troop; male or female," said Leader. "She does it just as good as anyone, and even better in a lot of cases."

Fischer chose the career field as a way to step out of the norm and challenge herself. She stated parts of her job can be nerve-wracking, but at the end of the day, very rewarding.

"You have to have tough skin," Fischer said. "This job is not for everybody. Prove to yourself and to others that you are competent."

Leader said he doesn't think equality and respect should have anything to do with whether you're a male or female, but everything to do with how well you know your job and how well you do it.    


"I think outside of the maintainer career field, females may be viewed as being of an environment that doesn't fit them, but for those of us in the maintainer world, we just see another maintainer doing her job and making a living like everyone else," Leader said.

For Staff Sgt. Fischer, being fit to fight in her challenging and demanding career field is as simple as balancing her physical and mental readiness.