SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --
Team work between two units located at two separate bases keep the 4th Fighter Wing's F-15E Strike Eagles ready for whatever missions come their way.
Through a collaborative effort, Airmen from Team Seymour and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia work together, across more than 400 miles, to enable F-15E maintenance.
“The maintenance depot strengthens mission partnership by allowing both bases to share a common goal,” said Capt. Bryan Hladik, 336th Fighter Squadron flight commander. “By striving to produce a mission-capable F-15E, both the depot personnel as well as the 4th Fighter Wing personnel have to work together over a pretty significant distance.”
Team Seymour’s F-15E’s are flown to Robins AFB every three years for a structural overhaul where they are entirely stripped down, inspected, repaired and modified. This process helps replace malfunctioning equipment and ensures pilot safety.
“The depot is crucial because it allows major repairs and modifications to be made to the aircraft,” Hladik said. “These changes require a significant amount of time, support, and infrastructure that most bases don't really have room or personnel for.”
Team Seymour’s jets are referred and flown to the depot upon reaching 1,200 flight hours, and are scheduled out in advance to ensure a set number of deployable aircraft remain.
“The depot allows the overall life of the jets to be extended,” Hladik said. “Our F-15Es were made in the late 1980s and have seen a lot of flying. Sending the jets to the depot helps to accomplish the major inspections as well as major repairs which, in turn, keeps the jets flying longer.”
Recently, Col. Christopher Sage, 4th FW commander, flew an F-15E to Robins AFB to personally thank the members of the WR-ALC and help strengthen the partnership between the bases.
“The feedback I received from the 4th FW maintainers is that the relationship is stronger than it has been in years,” Sage said. “Relationships matter, and they take effort. We will continue to put significant effort into strengthening these bonds.”