4th CMS jet engine shop surpasses standards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Stanfield
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - --  The 4th Component Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight keeps all of the installation's F-15E Strike Eagle engines running.

The propulsion flight has been able to cut production time nearly 54 percent by reinventing a seven-person crew. Each Airman was placed in a section where they performed best so each team would have equal amounts of expertise and experience.

"We surpassed all Air Combat Command standards by reinventing a process in 90 days," said Master Sgt. William Richard, 4th CMS jet engine intermediate maintenance section chief.

The reinvented seven-person crew has a crew chief, crew chief assistant and five maintainers. The crew chief is responsible for paperwork, the assistant runs the maintenance process and the maintainers complete required repairs.

Headquarters ACC has a 12-day standard to fully rebuild an engine and return it to the flightline with a maximum of three engines on standby waiting to be serviced. Airmen are briefed every day on engine status updates and issues in order to ensure continuity.

"The biggest fear for our Airmen is a missed step that could cause an engine to fall apart and cause death to aircrew members," said Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Nelson, 4th CMS propulsion flight chief.

A 127-item checklist provides step-by-step instructions for engine repairs, which makes it easier for Airmen to learn more efficient and accurate while working on an engine. It also helps prevent errors and saves time.

"Building confidence and communication, taking care of each other, and always finding a way to succeed is how the flight works together as a team," said Master Sgt. William Richard, 4th CMS jet engine intermediate maintenance section chief.