Photo By Spc. Jasmine Walthall | Sgt. Ched W. McLean, photographed inspecting the transmission bed on an AH-64 Apache,...... read more read more
By Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall
Task Force 449, Multi-National Division Center
BAGHDAD, Iraq – When it comes to making sure aircrews and passengers are safe when they fly, the members of the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, out of Ft. Hood, Texas, have the job covered.
The 4/3 ACR is unique in that it has the ability to support itself from an aircraft maintenance perspective. The unit is equipped with Aviation Intermediate Maintenance capability, which includes extensive and time consuming maintenance, and an Aviation Unit Maintenance capability; both allow 4/3 ACR to be self sufficient.
"Having AVIM and AVUM capabilities internal to the unit offers greater flexibility," said Sgt. 1st Class Zane B. Hansen, Task Force 449 Aviation Material Office.
The Belton, Texas, native said the maintenance platoon can conduct in-depth inspections and repairs at many levels to include: changing engines and transmissions, fixing electronics and replacing flight controls , all of which are tasks completed at the AVIM or AVUM level.
"Being able to perform all these capabilities at our level helps establish fluid movement among our team and aircraft, which increases our overall maintenance efficiency and supports the unit's mission," said Hansen.
On any given day, a UH-60A Black Hawk or AH-64 Apache will come in for routine scheduled maintenance, the most intense being a "phase" or preventative maintenance inspection.
Soldiers with the maintenance platoon must disassemble the aircraft and inspect it for cracks or broken parts. Once the Soldiers identify potential maintenance problems, they are also responsible for fixing them and reassembling the entire aircraft. During a typical phase inspection, the process usually takes 14 to 15 days to complete.
The maintenance personnel, who work in the hangar, are primarily Apache and Black Hawk repairmen. They work 12 to 14 hours a day ensuring the aircraft are in excellent flying condition. They work closely with specialists in avionics, weapons, engines, flight controls and hydraulics as well as airframe repairmen. Everyone in the maintenance platoon has a vital role in ensuring aircraft are mission ready.
Staff Sgt. Ben A. Chacon, a platoon section chief, is responsible for coordinating maintenance and work orders. His platoon completes one PMI phase a month, during which the Soldiers conduct a thorough aircraft inspection and then disassemble, service and repair, and reassemble the helicopter. Teams of six to eight Soldiers conduct this type of maintenance on the Black Hawks and Apaches.
For the maintainers in 4/3 ACR, the feeling they get after completing an inspection and solving any problems is well worth the hours they spend doing it.
"Our work pays off; knowing the helicopter now has 500 more flight hours on it makes our job worth it," said Chacon.
Spc. Donald A. Jackson, a Black Hawk repairman, is also happy that his work provides on-the-job training that will help him to achieve his goal of becoming a crew chief. Jackson currently conducts thorough inspections of the Black Hawk; however, as a crew chief, he would be responsible for more than routine aircraft maintenance.
"I was lucky to come to a maintenance platoon first, where I can learn about the aircraft I will one day be a crew chief on," said Jackson.
He added working with the section really teaches him how to deal with a variety of aircraft maintenance situations, and he better understands the Black Hawk's capabilities and how to help solve potential problems.
The platoon not only has maintainers, who work inside the hangar, but also Soldiers who fix aircraft on the flight line.
Spc. Thomas Spurgeon works with aircraft daily on the flight line; administering routine maintenance to help ensure aircraft are fully operational.
"The best thing about my job is that I know the work I am doing and the inspections I conduct on a day-to-day basis help ensure we all come back safely," said Spurgeon.
The 4/3 ACR maintainers believe in what they are doing and find comfort in knowing they play an integral part in making flights safer for all aircraft crewmembers and passengers.
"Our mission here is simple," said Sgt. Ched W. Mclean, an Apache repairman with 4/3 ACR. "We do whatever it takes to help the pilots complete their mission."
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2008 06:27 |
| Story ID: | 27733 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 120 |
This work, The Soldiers behind the bird, by SPC Jasmine Walthall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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