UH-60 gets rest and recuperation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin | Spc. Robert Munson, UH-60 mechanic for the 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, inspects the rotor on the rear tail rotor paddle during a PMI-2, March 14. (Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin)  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

03.21.2007

Courtesy Story

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

TIKRIT, Iraq - For Soldiers deployed in Iraq, the14 day rest and recuperation (R & R) they receive is one of the few glorious things to look forward to. With long hours and strenuous work environments a little rest and down time enables Soldiers to complete missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While Soldiers work diligently on battle plans; the UH-60 Black Hawk, spends hundreds of hours soaring through the air delivering Soldiers and supplies before it's called in for its two week mandatory recovery officially known as a Phase Maintenance Inspection 2 (PMI-2).

The Soldiers of Bravo Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher work around the clock to support the two week process that started March 13 on a Black Hawk flown by 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment.

"Once an aircraft achieves a certain amount of flying time, it can not be used for a mission until the phase is completed," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Stephan, the UH-60 section sergeant of B Co., whose hometown is Javia Center, N.Y.

Once Soldiers from B Co. obtain the bird, the process begins by inspecting and tearing down the components, putting new seals on gear boxes, checking flight control components, and most importantly taking off the main rotor blades and tail rotor paddles.

"Since there are so many moving parts on a Black Hawk, bearings wear down and equipment needs to be inspected," Stephan said. "The blades are the most important element of our inspection."

"Once the blades are taken off the bird, they are checked for any damage." Sgt. Gustavo L. Canales, an aircraft structural repair worker for B Co. and native of Lakeworth, Fla., said as he was inspecting the main rotor wings on the UH-60. "The three main causes of damage to a Black Hawk are sand, rocks and birds; causing voids in the wing."

"If the wings can't be restored at this level of inspection, then they will be completely replaced with new wings," Stephan said.

However, most of the blades only need "cosmetic" work, which is prepared by applying an erosion strip onto the blade with adhesive tape. This extends the life of the blade and protects the blade from the harsh elements of Iraq.

"Blade tape is an immense asset. It protects against damage, and if blade tape wasn't there it would slow down inspection."

Sandwiched between two laminated blades, the honeycomb shaped metal is inspected for voids.

"Voids are tested by aircraft structural repair workers, assuring all the razor strips meet inspection regulations," Canales said. "By gently tapping on the wings we can hear if the honeycomb and laminate have come unfastened."

A crucial piece of the PMI-2, the blade repair is just the beginning of ongoing inspections the 209th ASB will conduct in the next two weeks. Nonetheless, without the blades the Black Hawk will not be mission ready.

• Date Taken: 03.21.2007
• Date Posted: 03.21.2007 16:01
• Story ID: 9562
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ