Props flight keeps engines rolling

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Staff Sgt. Michael Walton uses a microscopic camera to check for any foreign object debris damage on an F-15E engine fan here, Nov. 30, 2010. The damage is caused by intake suction from the jet engine, which is powerful enough to suck up loose material lying on the runway. Sergeant Walton is a 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic and hails from Augusta, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Props flight keeps engines rolling

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Jeffrey Jin checks the severity of a burn through on engine turbine exhaust strut here, Nov. 30, 2010. A burn through happens when a spark or excessive heat is pushed through small holes on either end of the strut causing the metal to melt. Airman Jin is a 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic from Diamond Bar, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Props flight keeps engines rolling

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Jeffrey Jin holds a bolts head to prevent stripping as Staff Sgt. Edith Bartolomeo loosens it on an engine turbine exhaust case here, Nov. 30, 2010. The engine exhaust case is attached to the low pressure turbine and houses the number five bearing area and straightens out the air flow from the core engine module. Airman Jin and Sergeant Bartolomeo are both 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanics. Airman Jin is from Diamond Bar, Calif. and Sergeant Bartolomeo is from Kill Devil Hills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Props flight keeps engines rolling

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Eli Thompson replaces a fuel tube on an F-15E engine here, Nov. 30, 2010. In a recent deployment to Afghanistan, the propulsion flight provided six spare engines in three days, which is nine days less than typical production. Airman Thompson is a 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic and hails from Detroit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Props flight keeps engines rolling

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Christopher Oliva bolts down a hydraulic start motor onto an F-15E central gear box according to his technical orders here, Nov. 30, 2010. The 4th Fighter Wing propulsion flight out-produced all other F-100 propulsion flights in Air Combat Command combined. Airman Oliva is a 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic from Sacramento, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

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Props flight keeps engines rolling

Published Dec. 1, 2010
By Lt. Col. Barton Kenerson
4th Component Maintenance Squadron

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Component Maintenance Squadron Propulsion Flight achieved tremendous accomplishments during the past 18 months despite facing many hurdles.

The propulsion flight is not a unit that many people know about, especially those who do not work around aircraft. This flight is truly the war's unsung hero; fixing jet engines, which allows aircrews to protect ground troops and installations throughout the area of responsibility. At a time when no replacement parts were available during back-to-back air and space expeditionary rotations, the flight's ability to support local mission requirements was under an incredible strain.

The last two months of their deployment to Afghanistan compounded engine sustainability as aircraft engines experienced abnormal ice foreign object damage that required home-station Airmen to back fill the area of responsibility at short notice. The props flight crafted a masterful plan that provided six spare engines in three days; nine days less than normal engine production. The amazing feat enabled our wing to not miss a single combat mission.

The story does not end here, as, shortly after the return of Airmen from the AOR, the flight started preparation for the next rotation of aircraft. During this period, the Air Force was still experiencing engine parts shortages and inspection issues. This did not stop the flight. They stepped up once again to produce the necessary engines for their current deployment, all while out-producing all other F-100 propulsion flights in Air Combat Command combined. In January 2010, the 4th CMS Propulsion Flight produced 17 spare engines and subsequently topped that total with 19 more in April.

Currently, the flight has maintained its war readiness requirements for engine spare level for more than two months. A truly outstanding accomplishment, as this has not occurred for several years. A lot of hard work and coordination between the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Pratt & Whitney engineers, ACC, the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 4th Maintenance Group, and the dedicated men and women of the 4th CMS Propulsion Flight culminated in the flight's ability to reach for new heights.