PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Two maintenance squadrons from the 920th Rescue Wing here joined forces to tackle a monumental five-day task, which included removing tires, brakes and 22,000 pounds of fuel from a HC-130P/N refueling aircraft, so the team could replace its struts August 2.
The 720th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 920th Maintenance Squadron here swapped the two struts, which absorb shock similarly to the struts on a car, with new ones that can last for several years.
Approximately 10 maintenance Airmen worked on completing this objective against a fast-approaching deadline. They worked in the sweltering heat and remained vigilant for passing tropical thunder storms that may have halted work at any time.
“From the very beginning they know a strut change is a major job,” said Maj. Lori Mann, 720th AMXS commander here. “Those maintainers gave a 110% out there despite the heat, the blowing winds, the weather conditions and elements they faced. Every day they came to work willing and wanting to get that job done, and they did.”
During maintenance the aircraft sat in several wooden cribs on the flight line that ran beneath the length of the plane like a ribcage. To provide stability against the harsh coastal winds, the aircraft was tied into place at various points like a tent and was further stabilized by four ladder-sized jacks that can support a maximum cumulative weight of 80 tons.
“All of us with the 920th work for that end mission,” said Master Sgt. Gary Watkins, production superintendent in charge of maintenance scheduling, 720th AMXS here. “That end mission is to save lives. That’s what we do. We’re rescue. So at the end of the day we work hard to get these planes in the air so the crews can train to save lives.”
Watkins said this aircraft is capable of flying from Florida to California without stopping for fuel. Its range of responsibility includes in air refueling as well as air drops of pararescuemen and their supplies.