Some parachutes can take at least two days to pack. The ejection seat contains a life raft stocked with survival items. Navy life rafts, which are shaped like a big slipper to decrease exposure, provide 24-hour survival capability. After that, aircrews must rely on their own resources. The division also tests regulators for emergency oxygen supply bottles and liquid oxygen converters.
Liquid oxygen is extremely combustible and requires specialized technicians to handle it.
Although the Paraloft is the smallest division in AIMD, it is one of the aircrew's most valuable friends. They maintain everything from bomb ejector racks and missile launchers to Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System racks, ensuring that bombs will release on demand. Sixty percent of the division's work is scheduled maintenance. Every 210 days that rack comes across this test bench and is torn apart. We make sure that everything is working correctly and that there is no excessive corrosion.