Dover AFB maintainers grease wheels of global reach

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Fliers weren't the only crew familiarizing themselves with the C-5M Super Galaxy, as maintainers worked on the aircraft during the first mission to generate the world's most capable airlifter. 

Alongside Lockheed Martin field-service representatives, Air Force maintainers Staff Sgts. Aaron Trudel and Ryan Carver, 436th Airlift Wing flying crew chiefs, worked on the C-5M during its first mission to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 28 to April 9. 

"Running into problems with an aircraft is inevitable," said Sergeant Trudel. "It's the nature of the beast. But, this is the time we want this kind of thing to happen, before any real-world missions." 

As part of the ongoing familiarization period the maintainers and FSRs spent time going over items such as evaluation and training, trouble-shooting, fixing wire short-outs, inspections and changing tires. 

During the process of working with the aircraft, the maintenance crew was able to generate and amend the preliminary technical orders. TOs are guidelines used when troubleshooting aircraft malfunction. 

"One of the biggest challenges for the maintainers during this mission was working with preliminary TOs while conducting our troubleshooting," said Sergeant Carver. "What was actually wrong with the plane wasn't matching up with the preliminary TOs. Therefore, we had to figure out the systems and where the problem was coming from, by trial and error." 

The improvements made to the aircraft during the modernization program made maintaining the aircraft easier, the sergeant said. 

"The electrical system is definitely smoother, more reliable," said Sergeant Carver. "That, along with having the Lockheed guys here, made the process of working on the aircraft more efficient than it might have been." 

The Lockheed FSRs worked alongside their military counterparts to increase the Airmen's comfort level while working on the Super Galaxy, said Stan Walenda, C-5M field technical support staff for Lockheed Martin. 

"We are trying to encompass a more hands-on approach with the introduction of the Super Galaxy," said Mr. Walenda. "These (Air Force maintainers) have been great to work with. They are completely dedicated. They want to generate the airplane and do it safely. This group, especially, is very resourceful." 

While there may still be kinks in the modernized machine, maintainers will have time to smooth them out before operational testing and evaluation begins, slated for August.