Sparks will fly Published Jan. 28, 2013 By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 5th Maintenance Squadron's Metals Technology Flight uses a lathe, drill press, torch and imagination to repair, and at times create, parts that are no longer available. When flight line maintainers notice structural discrepancies with an aircraft, metals technicians go to the aircraft and evaluate the problem.