Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Mattison | Members of the 158th Maintenance Group test an electric jammer at the Vermont Air...... read more read more
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SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Some jobs are louder and dirtier than others at the Vermont Air National Guard, but thankfully new technology is being tested here at the 158th Maintenance Group that will improve job efficiency, learning, and health. Working with the Air Reserve/Air National Guard Test Center, Senior Master Sgt. Alan Bouffard said that they are currently testing two different pieces of equipment that traditionally use diesel but now have been upgraded to electric.
One piece of equipment is the Electrical Operated Aircraft Tow Vehicle made which would be replacing the tow-bar and MB-4 configuration for aircraft movement. This is a new concept for towing aircraft for the Flight Line that will be safer, and save both time and resources. VTANG was only supposed to have it for last winter, but it was so mild that they are keeping it for another winter.
Perhaps calling them “new” is a bit of a misnomer as it has been available to civilian airports for years, but it’s something new for the F-16 aircraft, and Bouffard said that they have been very lucky to be able to get their hands on it thanks to the quick response from Col. TJ Jackman, (then Maintenance Group commander) and support from the Vice and Wing Commanders. Vermont was a candidate for the study because they needed a cold-weather National Guard base.
The other piece of equipment VTANG is testing for the Air National Guard is an electric jammer used for weapons loading on the F-16. Bouffard said this equipment would be beneficial to any northern-tier air base. “A lot of southern-tier bases cannot comprehend because they can easily train outside or with the doors open, and for them it’s not a big deal. But at VTANG, in the northern-tier, we have to train with doors closed a lot of time with our winter or heavy rains, so this equipment makes a huge impact.”
The entire Weapons Section was excited, because diesel-powered equipment gives off noxious fumes that could make training a real hazard. “The biggest thing is health,” Bouffard said. “They used to have to train in an environment that after a few hours became smoky and hard to breathe in.” Air samples in the shop have revealed carbon monoxide and air particulates above acceptable levels, making the work area unhealthy.
This also saves the base money from diesel fuel usage and heating costs. He said there was a huge loss of heat when they have to open the hangar doors for ventilation especially in the bitter winter weather- so that airmen can breathe safely as they train. An added benefit is a reduction in noise. Because it is quiet there is better communication cutting overall training time. Master Sgt. Tony Augostino, Weapons LSC stated “You know how many hours we got on it from all day yesterday? One. That’s how fast the loads are going.”
Electric has no known health issues and has the perk of also being quieter, so training is much easier to facilitate. Although this means more work for the Aerospace Ground Equipment Shop, from routine maintenance to troubleshooting and repairs, everyone understands the importance of supporting the mission with the best equipment available and working efficiently as a team to make that happen.
Although it’s looking like they have to let go of it in the next few months, Bouffard is hoping their input will eventually lead to the widespread use of these machines. It’s better for the environment, for the health of the airmen, and it’s more efficient. Hopefully it’s one more step for a greener military.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2012 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 89352 |
| Location: | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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