Workers' dedication returns F-15E back to warfighter, saves millions Published Feb. 14, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The dedication and determination of mechanics at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., saved the Air Force millions of dollars and returned a damaged F-15E Strike Eagle to the 4th Fighter Wing Feb. 6, 2012. The F-15E, with the tail number A0188, was at Robins for nearly a year undergoing repairs due to damage it received when a bird struck the left engine during an exercise causing a major fire. "It is very uncommon for a jet to be worked on for a year and then returned to the fleet," said 1st Lt. Katherine Harmon, 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. Typically every six years Strike Eagles, valued at approximately $31.1 million each, are sent to Robins for six months to receive a general overhaul, to include needed repairs and modifications. "The actual scope of what we did to this aircraft is tremendous," said Ed Fuller, 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-15 planner who managed the project. "It was an incredible effort by a lot of people." The fighter was so damaged, it couldn't be flown; it was transported to Robins on a flatbed trailer. Fuller said maintainers had to separate the aircraft in order to install a new aft fuselage. They essentially removed and replaced the rear half of the aircraft. "It was something we'd never done before," Fuller said. "The fact we were successful speaks volumes for the skill of our maintainers and mechanics." He said everyone involved celebrated when the aircraft passed its second functional check flight. "This is something we're extremely proud of, considering all the hard work we did taking it apart and putting it back together," Fuller said. "We saved the Air Force from the loss of an aircraft."