Engine shop recovers from dust storms, wins award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rodney D. Ivey
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  For its ability to keep the base's F-15 fleet mission ready the 366th Component Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight was presented Golden Wrench award by a representative from the Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine company in a ceremony at building 1339 Aug. 15.

The propulsion flight earned the award, created by Pratt & Whitney in 1995 to recognize outstanding achievements in propulsion maintenance, for the innovative way it handled the damage sustained to the engines of 41 of the wing's 72 F-15 aircraft during dust storms here May 20 and June 21. This is only the seventh time the Golden Wrench Award has been handed out in its 13 year existence.

After the storms, Airmen from the propulsion flight, also known as the engine shop, helped the wing's three aircraft maintenance units assess the damage to the engines. They discovered the wind velocity was severe enough to force dirt and small pieces of concrete past the protective engine inlet covers, leaving the engines contaminated and unserviceable. The engine shop then sprang into action to fix the problem.

They coordinated the effort with Air Combat Command and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center engineers to devise an approved water wash procedure to flush the debris from the engines. To do this, they developed a special nozzle specifically designed to apply water to the internal parts of each engine without using excessive water pressure. Initial procedures were sent out for approval within 24 hours, and the 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight manufactured the nozzle in just a few hours.

"The first wind storm occurred only 10 days prior to the 389th Fighter Squadron's [deployment] launch, and by coincidence, they were the hardest hit with 15 of their engines being affected," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Redman, 366th CMS Propulsion Flight chief. "They became our top priority."

First, the engine shop provided the 389th FS with eight spare engines to continue their pre-deployment training. The propulsion flight worked around the clock to return the remaining seven engines to serviceable condition, which involved partially disassembling the engines and placing them on ramps so the newly designed water nozzle could be used to wash out the debris.

Each engine had to go through a full inspection using a borescope to see the hard-to-reach places to ensure all of the debris was removed followed by a functional test at the engine test cell. Test cell personnel averaged a two-and-a-half hour turnaround time, beating the standard time by 50 percent. The engines received another borescope inspection and an external, visual inspection before maintenance specialists installed them on the aircraft.

The engine shop then repaired the engines from the 390th FS using the same technique.

When the second windstorm happened, the 390th FS was hit the hardest. The propulsion flight used the same procedures and returned nine engines to ready status in less than five days, ensuring the squadron could maintain its flying schedule.

"Overall, the shop generated a total of 31 engines within a one-month window directly contributing to on time departure for our [Air Expeditionary Force] commitments and at the same time maintaining the busy home station training schedule," said Chief Redman.

"I couldn't ask for more out of our Airmen," said Master Sgt. Joel Davis, 366th CMS Propulsion Flight jet engine intermediate maintenance section chief. "Everyone pulled together to get the job done."