Air Force selects new C-5 ISO inspection sites

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chris Sukach
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover Air Force Base was selected as one of three sites for future C-5 cargo aircraft isochronal inspections, Air Mobility Command officials announced today.

Two additional C-5 ISO inspection sites - one at an Air National Guard base and another at an Air Force Reserve base - will be announced at a later date.

Dover was selected as the active-duty C-5 ISO site because of facilities, maintenance support, base support, manpower requirements and other supporting data, officials said.

"Team Dover has spent the last two years using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century tools to bring our current inspection process time down from 30 days to approximately 14 days, thanks to the hard work of our maintainers," said Col. Robert E. Hamm, Jr., 436th Maintenance Group commander here.

Isochronal inspections are thorough examinations of the entire aircraft. During these inspections, aircraft maintainers look for and repair problems in every system throughout the jet.

AMC officials noted that the reduction of C-5 ISO inspection sites from eight to three increases the availability of C-5 aircraft and reduces supporting costs.

"We are excited about this opportunity to help improve C-5 availability, thereby increasing our ability to quickly and precisely move cargo to the warfighter," said Colonel Hamm.

Central scheduling of C-5 inspections from a fleet-wide perspective will produce an overall reduction in waiting time and will add an estimated average of 2.5 availability-days to every C-5 in the fleet, which equates to about 300 more sorties per year, or 10,000 pallets, according to AMC officials.

"Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Air Force airlifters have maintained a heavy operations tempo," said Brig. Gen. Robert McMahon, AMC Director of Logistics. "This 'appetite for airlift' has placed an enormous amount of stress on an already-aging airlift fleet."

With no end to the sustained airlift requirements in sight, every C-5 sortie, every pallet moved, is important, said the general. Each additional C-5 brought "into the fight" means more sorties, and more sorties means better support to the warfighter.

As part of the Total Force ISO consolidation, a portion of the active-duty manpower will be used at the Dover ISO inspection site, while the remaining active-duty Airmen will be integrated with forces at the Reserve and Guard sites.

"We do expect a small increase of personnel in support of our Isochronal dock," Colonel Hamm said. "That increase will be a combination of active duty, civilian and reserve personnel, but it is too early to tell the exact mix of individuals."

(Information obtained from the Air Mobility Command Public Affairs Office)