Last TF34 engine leaves Shaw

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ken Carr
  • TF34 Engine Regional Repair Center
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The last TF34 engine built at Shaw rolled onto a truck bound for Moody Air Force Base, Ga., May 11.

The movement marked the close of an era at Shaw.

The 20th Component Maintenance Squadron's Propulsion Flight at Shaw began working on the TF34-GE-100A engine that powers the A-10 Thunderbolt in 1992, following the deactivation of the 355th Fighter Squadron at Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C. In March of the same year, the fleet of A-10 aircraft assigned to Myrtle Beach was reassigned to the 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Shaw.

Years later, the A-10 aircraft left Shaw, but the 20th Propulsion Flight continued its mission of repairing the TF34 engine. Having endured several name changes and reorganizations throughout the years, the maintenance function ultimately became known as the TF34 Engine Regional Repair Center, or ERRC.

Throughout the last 18 years, many challenges were met, and the men and women of the ERRC produced more than 654 serviceable engines in support of Pope AFB, N.C., Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and Eglin AFB, Fla. The A-10 aircraft assigned to Pope was eventually reassigned to the 23rd Fighter Wing at Moody AFB, Ga.

Most recently, during Moody's deployment to Afghanistan, the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons received 14 engines built by the ERRC, enabling their sustained mission success in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the Global Security website, the 2005 base realignment and closure agenda to realign Shaw called for relocating base-level TF34 engine intermediate maintenance to Moody, establishing a Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility, or CIRF.

The Department of Defense also recommended realigning Shaw AFB by relocating base-level TF34 engine intermediate maintenance to Moody AFB to combine with other TF34 engine maintenance agencies to form the CIRF at Bradley ANG base.

In the end, establishing aTF34 engine maintenance CIRF at Bradley compliments the A-10 fleet realignment.

Ultimately, the CIRF consolidation at Bradley ANG base will centralize TF34 engine maintenance for ANG-owned A-10 aircraft from Barnes, Selfridge, and Martin State ANG bases.

Additionally, the CIRF will include support for all active-duty A-10 aircraft assigned to Spangdahlem AB Germany.

Following close behind the last engine shipment are 29 TF34 engine mechanics, who are also making the move. Once there, they will continue the long legacy of top quality TF34 turbo-fan engine maintenance they established here.