ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Robins
maintainers recently took just one week to repair a C-5 Galaxy with a
basketball-sized hole in its engine and damage to the pylons that attach
it.
The 3rd Airlift Squadron aircrew, en route from
Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Puerto Rico, declared an in-flight
emergency and diverted to Robins. Experts impounded the C-5B immediately
and awaited maintenance directorate experts to get it up and running
again.
David Mann, aircraft production section chief, said
the aircraft sustained major damage to its number four engine. Maintenance
directorate experts removed the engine and sent it to Tinker Air Force
Base, Okla. for repair. They then replaced the engine, the number three
and four engine pylons and repaired minor damage to the wing.
Mr. Mann said approximately 20 people came into
contact with the aircraft during its brief visit to Robins including
engine mechanics, inspectors and sheet metal mechanics. Members of the
strategic airlift directorate staff also lent a hand, providing the
statement of work.
"We provided the removal and repair, but the
big part of the job was the LT staff providing what inspections needed to
be done to the damaged areas" said Mr. Mann.
The section chief said successfully completing this
repair job was extra special for two reasons. One, there was a race
against the clock to get it completed before the base's runway closed for
repairs; and two, which is always their main goal, getting the asset back
to the warfighter.
First Lt. Chris Knier, 3rd Airlift Squadron
executive officer, said they were grateful to the Robins team for taking
care of their bird.
"We appreciate the immediate response of the
emergency crews when we needed them," he said. "The amount of
work and professionalism demonstrated by the Robin's team really came
through to us. They worked really hard to make sure everything was taken
care of."
When the engine and pylon work was completed, 339th
Flight Test Squadron members returned the aircraft to its home station at
Dover. (Courtesy AFMC News Service)