Top notch support keeps aircrafts flying

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chuck Broadway
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., (ACCNS) --  "Each day maintenance starts with us," said Master Sgt. Edwin Sims, 12th Aircraft Maintenance Unit support section chief. 

Sergeant Sims' statement directly referred to the purpose of the two support sections at Beale, the 12th AMU and 99th AMU, which is to provide the tools, testing equipment and hazardous material equipment used by flightline mechanics to perform everyday maintenance on the U-2 Dragonlady and RQ-4 Global Hawk. 

Both shops are fully stocked with all necessary equipment, from common household tools up to testing equipment used specifically for each aircraft. 

"We are the hub for anything required to perform maintenance on the U-2," said Kara Woolfork, 9th AMXS, 99th AMU tools and parts attendant leader. 

The daily routine of each section begins when crew chiefs come in to start shifts and check out the tools they'll need that day. At the end of their shifts they bring them back to be re-stocked by the support unit. It's the AMUs job to ensure each piece of equipment and every nut, bolt and screw used to assemble the item is accounted for. 

"We open every kit to make sure everything is there, even down to the screws," Sergeant Sims said. "If it's not there, it may be on the flightline and could end up in an aircraft intake or tire." 

Accountability is a big issue with the AMUs. If a part is missing it is documented, searched for and if not found within one hour, a report is sent to the group commander. 

"We're the final look for accountability," Ms. Woolfork said. "We have to check the flightline so no accidents happen and ensure all items are serviceable." 

With more than 200 pieces of major equipment and approximately $30 million of inventory in each shop, keeping track of all the items is no easy task. 

"Our focus is to ensure everything crew chiefs need is accounted for and safeguarded," Sergeant Sims said. 

This focus isn't confined to Beale either. When deployed, they're also responsible for tools at locations in the area of responsibility. 

When enroute teams travel to a location where a U-2 is scheduled to return to Beale, the 99th AMU sends crew members with the team to check all equipment at the location and ensure nothing needs to be replaced or rebuilt. 

One of the major pieces of equipment the 99th AMU is responsible for are the U-2 pogos. The pogos are used on the runway and help support the wings of the plane while taxiing. The AMU is tasked with tear-down, construction and repair of all pogos for the U-2 program. 

The 12th AMU also houses a critical piece of maintenance equipment used for the Global Hawk. 

A major part of their responsibility is the vehicle test controller. The VTC is a laptop which helps technicians perform most maintenance projects on the Global Hawk. It also serves as the "life support" of the aircraft. 

"Without the VTC you cannot power up the Global Hawk," Sergeant Sims said. 

Not only is the VTC used for powering the RQ-4, it also monitors internal systems and provides fault indications on malfunctions. 

"The equipment we're providing is essential to maintenance," the sergeant said. "If the equipment isn't in good working order, maintenance can't progress."