Let there be light!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica H. Smith
  • 366th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
The sunshades on the flightline are receiving new lighting -- a project scheduled to be completed in January 2015.

Although this may seem like a minor addition, it's quite a big deal to those who work under the sunshades on a daily basis.

"The sunshades provide shade for the aircraft in the summer and protection from the snow in the winter months, we've had them for a few years, but the lights have always been the next step," said Lt. Col. Jeremy Saunders, 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander.

After working to secure the funding, the project finally began in January 2014.

The first step was to get power under the flightline road from the hangars to the sunshade rows, which Saunders said was the most difficult and expensive part of the project.

"We were able to work with the Civil Engineer Squadron through one of its special squadrons called Red Horse, which volunteered to do it at a much better price than the commercial world could offer," said Saunders.

Red Horse, which is a regional squadron possessing heavy construction capabilities, began its work in June 2014 and completed running the power a few months later in August. The rest of the project will be completed by the same civilian contractor that installed the sunshades.

"We've been using light-all, bringing them out to the flightline," said Saunders, "But it's not nearly as effective as the lights in the sunshades."

Light-all is a cart with lights that personnel have to push wherever they need in order to work.

Master Sgt. J C Jones, 366th AMXS production superintendent said, "The light-alls are cumbersome and require a lot of maintenance and upkeep."

Saunders went on to say the new lighting will add an element of ease, while saving both time and money.

"The lighting provides both better security and safety for our folks," said Saunders. "It gives them the ability to do more and makes it easier to inspect the aircraft."

Jones said, "Having permanent fixed lighting is a slam dunk for the maintenance world!"