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Fairchild maintainers help Oregon Reserve unit with tanker task

  • Published
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --   Members of the 939th Air Refueling Wing, an Oregon Air Force Reserve unit, departed Fairchild April 19 after two weeks of training on a major KC-135 maintenance task.

Until 2002, the 939th ARW (formerly the 939th Rescue Wing) flew H-60 Pavehawks. With the new unit designation came a new mission. Instead of helicopters, the squadron now flies KC-135 Stratotankers.

"Being a new tanker wing, we don't have the hangar space, tools or expertise to repair the damage to one of our rudders, so we turned to your active-duty and Guard troops for help," said Tech. Sgt. John Brownfield, 939th ARW aero repair shop chief.

About two weeks ago, a damaged KC-135 and five Portland maintenance crew members arrived at Fairchild to take advantage of the 92nd Maintenance Squadron facilities and experience here.

"We only do a rudder removal every two to three years," said Staff Sgt. Chris Reiter, 92nd MXS aero repair technician. "It's not something you just take apart and put back together for training; there has to be a real need."

Before work can begin on the rudder, the jet's vertical stabilizer must be removed, which is known as a "fin fold."

"There's a crane fixed onto one side of the fin and about 10 people holding a rope fixed onto the other side," he said.

Another person positioned on top of the jet, removes two of the four pins that support the fin, causing the fin to relax to one side. Personnel on the ground then pull on the rope to counteract the movement.

"The whole fin seems like it's falling at you," said Tech. Sgt. Delora Downs, a 92nd MXS aero repair technician who was involved in the process.

The crane then catches the fin and lowers it until it's parallel with the ground, added Sergeant Reiter. At this point, he said the removal and repairs can begin.

"It takes a lot of communication and coordination between all the individual shops to carry out the whole process," said Sergeant Downs. "After [the fin] is down, it goes to the sheet metal shop, to hydro, and so on."

All of these challenges make the rudder removal process one of the most dangerous tasks KC-135 maintenance crews can tackle.

"It takes about 10 to 12 people to carry out the fin fold, and then another five for the actual removal of the rudder, all of which takes about two weeks to safely accomplish," said Sergeant Reiter.

When the troops departed Fairchild April 19, they left with a wealth of knowledge, a little experience under their belts, and a strengthened sense of respect for Fairchild personnel.

"I can't say enough about both Fairchild active duty and Guard personnel," said Sergeant Brownfield. "They opened their doors to us, gave us access to their personnel and equipment, and answered our thousands of questions."

The Oregon Air National Guard unit was so impressed with the level of support from the 92nd MXS that the 939th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander presented the aero repair mechanics with wing coins.

"[The Oregon Guard personnel] came with a good attitude and were willing to learn, so we were happy to help them out," said Sergeant Reiter. "Plus, they really got in there and got their hands dirty -- and we got to play."