Hush House

A Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engine undergoes a routine performance test at the Holloman AFB Jet Engine Test Facility 17 March. The test facility is commonly referred to as the "hush House" because it allows engines to be run at full afterburner, as shown here, with minimal noise being allowed outside the facility. (U.S. Air Force Photo/TSgt Chris Flahive)

Hush House

Senior Airman Steven Holland, a Jet Engine Test Facility Journeyman, performs a pre run inspection while testing the engine of an F-22 Raptor. SrA Holland is a member of the 49th Maintenance Squadron and is activley persuing a Federal Aviation Administration Air Frame and Power plant license. (U.S. Air Force Photo/TSgt Chris Flahive)

Hush House

Airman 1st Class Michael Welch, a member of the 49th Maintenance Squadron, sits at the controls of a $10,000,000 jet engine from an F-22 Raptor during a routine maintenance test at Holloman AFB, Nm.16 Mar. A1C Welch is a Jet Engine Test Facility Journeyman who originally hails from Concord, New Hampshire. (U.S. Air Force Photo/TSgt Chris Flahive)

Hush House isn’t a quiet place

Published March 26, 2009
By Tech Sgt. William C. Hancock
49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.-- -- Some call it a "hush house," others a "test cell." By whatever name people call it, the Jet Engine Test Facility is anything but quiet.

Inside the sound absorbing walls of the "hush houses," the F119-PW-100 engine, that powers the F-22A Raptor, is unleashed. Every engine that is produced by the Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance Shop is tested at all power settings including afterburner prior to installation in the F-22.

The facility also has the ability to test and troubleshoot the installed engines, ensuring
the engines spend the maximum amount of time in the aircraft.

"The priority of the Jet Engine Propulsion Flight is to maintain engine sustainability and reliability, and a great deal of this begins and ends at the test facility," said Master Sgt. John Madison, 49 Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight chief.

With this level of responsibility, the maintainers selected to work at the "hush house" are at the pinnacle of their respective skill level.

"The personnel at the test facility have proven over time to be on top of their game. I hand select each person based on previous work performance." said Sergeant Madison.

One example of the skilled personnel working in the "hush house" is Senior Airman Carlos Fernandez.

"I feel a great deal of accomplishment and reward being entrusted with the responsibilities that come with working at the hush house," said Airman Fernandez. "Every time I hear a sonic boom it puts a smile on my face."

Quality of work is another revered aspect of the Propulsion Flight, according to Sergeant Madison. The pilots that fly the F-22A can rest assured they are not only being provided the best jet engine in the Air Force inventory, but they are maintained by the best trained and most skilled personnel the 49th Fighter Wing has to offer.