Photo By Staff Sgt. Camille Lienau | The 104th Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron won the 2019 Air National Guard Safety...... read more read more
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The 104th Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron team identified a major issue in the F-15, effecting upwards of 200 fighter aircraft and $5.1 billion in Air Force assets. This issue directly impacted the pilot and could potentially cause pilot hypoxia if rapid depressurization were to occur.
Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Pavelchak, 104 FW Quality Assurance, facilitated measures to identify and solve the issue.
“Our Repair/Reclamation and Electric/Environmental maintenance technicians along with our Quality Assurance team identified a trending issue affecting the cabin pressurization system,” said Pavelchak.
The technicians did not stop at simply identifying the issue, further measures were taken to ensure that this structural error never occurs again. A thorough risk assessment utilizing global data from 41 F-15 specific Class E physiological incidents was drafted.
“Quality Assurance personnel collaborated with Structural Maintenance members and the F-15 System Program Office at Warner Robbins Air Force Base to develop a relatively easy, cost effective repair to an ongoing issue plaguing our fleet. This solution was later communicated and implemented throughout the F-15 community to prevent future mishaps relating to cabin pressure loss,” said Pavelchak.
An Air Force Technical Order change request was up-channeled, and prestigiously endorsed by functional management. To ensure fleet wide dissemination, an Engineering Technical Assistance Request for aircraft modification was approved and networked through all applicable Air Force Wings hosting the F-15C/D airframe.
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Carr, 104 FW’s maintenance group commander, thanked the team for their commitment and dedication to nationwide safety.
“You discovered a fleet-wide deficiency that could have resulted in a pilot experiencing hypoxia or hypoxic symptoms. By running this issue to ground and communicating with our counterparts, you prevented countless pilot reported discrepancies as well as a potential mishap. You have made our unit proud and have illustrated what it is to be a Barnestormer and you have earned our most profound thank you,” said Carr.
Due to the rapid reaction of the 104th Maintenance team the hazard was removed completely, in less than three months’ time. The team's remarkable actions and dedication to the safety of Air Force personnel has eliminated an imminent fatality to the 104th Fighter Wing and F-15 community.
The 2019 ANG Safety Award winners are Senior Master Sgt. Thomas E. Pavelchak, Master Sgt. Abdias Garcia, Master Sgt. Michael D. Hilton, Master Sgt. Matthew L. Leonard, Tech. Sgt. Bryan W. McFarland, Tech. Sgt. Timothy F. Wachta, Staff Sgt. Juan R. Rodriguez, Senior Airman Jacob R. Pelletier, Senior Airman Brett M. Bamford, Senior Airman Edward M. Pintor.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.02.2020 10:58 |
| Story ID: | 355460 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 401 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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