Page 8 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, December 2018

8 December 2018 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
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Propulsion back shop pushes forward
Story and photos by Airman 1st Class KRISTINE LEGATE
355 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 355th Component Maintenance Squadron TF-34 Pro- pulsion back shop has reached a goal not achieved in years. The shop is responsible for maintaining and repairing A-10 Thunderbolt II engines that have sustained damage, as well as keeping a stockpile of spares. Earlier in 2018 they set a record by producing ten war-ready engines, but
have now surpassed that with 15 spares.
“About a year ago we were roughly at one or two spares,”
said Master Sgt. Eric Warwick, 355th CMS Propulsion Flight section chief. “Going from roughly one or two spares on average to now being at 15 within a 12 to 15 month period is a huge feat because it takes anywhere from 17 to 30 days to produce a motor. It’s a big deal for us.”
The shop implemented and underwent many changes to get where they are now.
“We’ve changed our processes and reduced our flow days from about 52 days for full tear down, to 30 days on average,” Warwick said. “We’ve also gotten a good influx of people helping out, along with our contract team.”
With the help of the 924th Maintenance Squadron and civilian contractors, the shop is able to reach and maintain its increased product rate.
Not only does the shop provide support to aircraft main- tenance units on Davis-Monthan, they also support White- man AFB, Missouri, and Nellis AFB, Nevada.
“Engines needing repair would get shipped to the shop from either Nellis AFB, or Whiteman AFB, and in return the shop would ship out a replacement war-ready engine,” Warwick said.
By maintaining and keeping a stockpile of spares, Davis- Monthan, along with Whiteman AFB and Nellis AFB, are supported with war ready engines for contingency opera- tions and training.
Airmen from the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron inspect a TF-34 prior to assembly at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Aerospace propulsion specialists remove, install, inspect and repair engines and all components to ensure TF-34 engines are in first-rate operational conditions.
Cody Ethridge, 355th CMS contractor, inspects a low pressure turbine case at D-M AFB. Low pressure turbine cases are inspected prior to installment to ensure each piece is in proper working order.
Senior Airman Kevin Fusson, 355th CMS aerospace propulsion journeyman, and Air- man 1st Class Connor Broad, 355th CMS aerospace propulsion apprentice, inspect a combustion liner.