Depot helps Spanish air force get their Hornets flying and back in country

Transcription

1 Spanish 1 Art Cardone refuels a Spanish jet in Virginia before it s flown to North Island. Spanish 2 A NAVAIR Depot North Island team prepares to launch an aircraft at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. Spanish 3 Bill Chappell, left, and Andy Ortiz brief Lt. Cmdr. John Fernandez before he departs Naval Air Station, Oceana, Va., for Spain. Depot personnel help Spanish air force get their planes flying and back in country By Carol Sibley Page 1 of 5

2 NADEP North Island Photos by Jim Engel CORONADO, Calif. In 1994, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR, PMA 265) briefed the Spanish air force on the possible sale of F/A-18 aircraft to Spain for security assistance purposes. The SAF screened the Hornets before they determined how many and which aircraft they would choose. To properly screen the jets, the SAF requested logbook information to screen and inspect each aircraft, and it decided to buy 24 with the option to procure six more at a later date. The SAF decided to buy 11 aircraft from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center and 13 that were removed from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps active service. Naval Air Depot North Island played a major role in obtaining the aircraft from AMARC as they were in non-flyable condition. The Depot worked with the Spanish to accept, disassemble, and transport their aircraft to North Island for Modification, Corrosion and Paint Program Plus. This also included all aircraft records and loose equipment. Seeing this as a benefit to the Depot, Frank Widick, then the Program Management Team Office program manager, proposed reworking AMARC jets as an option to buying fleet jets. In 1999, the SAF were so pleased with the MCAPP+ work being performed on their AMARC aircraft, that they decided to bring their other 13 aircraft procured from fleet and reserve squadrons to the Depot for MCAPP+ also. This required a joint SAF and Depot team to perform visual verification of airframe change incorporations in their aircraft in country. Once this was completed, the planning for kits, rework, and other jobs began. The induction strategy for the last 13 aircraft that were operating in their fleet was based on minimizing the impact of out of service aircraft to the SAF. The Depot has utilized the heel to toe approach that provides for scheduling aircraft completion and delivery concurrent with the next aircraft inductions. We re currently working on the last two Spanish aircraft, Widick said. Approximately every six to eight months, three SAF aircraft are inducted into the F/A-18 program to begin the refurbishment and MCAPP+ process and the disassembly phase begins. Artisans remove trailing edge flaps and send them to the Boeing Co., in Mesa, Ariz., to be upgraded. Depot artisans also remove fuel cells and replace them with new ones. Evaluators and examiners verify the aircraft condition and outline any additional work requirements to bring them up to specifications and requirements outlined in the contract. Usually the aircraft require additional modifications and rework caused by their age and preservation time. Page 2 of 5

3 There are some special handling requirements that separate these aircraft from the U.S. fleet. Although the Depot makes every effort to integrate them into the regular flow of work, there are some deviations to MCAPP+ specifications such as performing electronic warfare sweeps to test their ALR-67 and ALQ/126 aircraft radio frequency wiring. Repair is limited to replacing antennas, couplers and connectors. The SAF supplies the parts to be replaced. The language barrier is another challenge faced in the Spanish program. Many of their logbook entries and history files are in Spanish and this creates quite a challenge for Jeannette Riley, Code 6.2.1, the logbook clerk at the Test Line. The language barrier is also an issue when deciphering engine data. Richard Thompson, Code , engine planner and estimator, has had to procure special hardware and software to correlate the life usage index data per the Spanish configurations. Special licensing had to be procured to integrate their data into our Similar Automated Maintenance Environment system. Once the Depot finishes the refurbishment process, Navy pilots deliver the aircraft to Spain via Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. The Depot contracts the U.S. Air Force for tanker services. There is a small window of opportunity within which to hook-up with the SAF F/A-18s for in-flight re-fueling to Spain. The airplanes must be ready or the entire mission can be scrapped. The team members are highly skilled and are committed to ensuring the aircraft is safe for flight before NAVAIR Depot North Island pilots embark for the Canary Islands. Art Cardone, Code 6.3.2, the plane captain, is very well known at the Test Line for his expertise and is a leader who takes pride in his work. It shows on every aircraft the Depot delivers. As a team in Oceana, Depot personnel work hard and tackle many obstacles to meet the mission schedule. Once the aircraft leave for Spain, we wait for the phone call. What a sweet sound to hear it ring with the news that Depot pilots arrived safe and sound some nine hours later. The Depot then begins preparing to accept the next set of aircraft in Oceana (two this time end of program) that are piloted by the SAF. Inspections are performed to ensure the aircraft are safe to fly to North Island to begin the MCAPP+ process. Shawn Delaware, Code , and everyone involved in the SAF program take great care to insure that the aircraft look good and perform in a superior manner. They are proud to deliver the finished product. Through Delaware s efforts, the PMTO remains an integral part of the Depot, and he has fully supported this Foreign Military Sales program since his tenure began. Many people and codes have been involved in getting these aircraft refurbished. The Paint Shop, under the guidance of Jim Compagnon, Code 6.2.5, has had to come to the rescue many times in order to meet the tight schedules Page 3 of 5

4 demanded by the trans-atlantic flight. The artisans in the hangar have performed miracles at times to get these aircraft out on time and are recognized for their efforts. There is a lot of pressure to make schedules, but they still manage to support the FMS program as well. Terry Timm, Code , has been instrumental in seeing that these aircraft make their delivery dates on time and move when they should. He has provided much insight and advice. The Depot s PMTO takes pride in producing a quality product that will provide service to the SAF for many years to come. Everyone at the Depot has built a solid working relationship with the Spanish air force that involves trust and cooperation. Our partnership has been very rewarding, and the Depot appreciates their business. Editor s Note: Sibley works in Code Engle is a contractor. Page 4 of 5

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