Friday, January 6, 2012

TOP STORY >> 189th AW impacts C-130s across the fleet, augments value of Guard

By 1st Lt. Chris Nelson
189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

In this era of persistent conflict, a fully leveraged National Guard provides this nation a highly cost-effective and proven force. Adding to the National Guard’s proven value for this nation, the 189th Airlift Wing located on Little Rock Air Force Base is “putting on the brakes” to further increase its worth.

The 189th AW is the first C-130 unit in the Air Force to modify its aircraft with the Wheel and Brake System Improvement components.

WBSI is an Air Mobility Command funded Improved Item Replacement Program for the C-130 that is expected to exceed $327 million dollars in life-cycle cost avoidance.

“As a recognized leader in C-130 operations and training I think that it is fitting that the 189th was selected for this new program,” said Col. Harold S. Eggensperger, 189th Airlift Wing commander. “This wing has shown time and time again how exceptional it is by leading the way in efficient efforts and tax payer savings.”

 Since 2009, the 189th AW has been working with the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center, Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center, Headquarters AMC and the Air Force Flight Test Center as the Subject Matter Experts responsible for the final design, fit testing, technical order verification/validation, flight testing, and the Field Service Evaluation.

 “This is an outstanding program. It’s going to save a lot of time and money over the life cycle,” said Maj. Chris Montanaro, 189th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “We were picked to stand up this initial break system because we have the best maintainers in the Air Force by far. We have the most experienced, the most lean-forward attitude, and we are a can-do unit.”

Gerald E. Wheeler, a C-130 landing gear engineer, said, “The OO-ALC Landing Gear office continued to request the 189th AMXS’s support throughout the development and test phases of the WBSI program because of their exceptional support and unparalleled expertise.”

 The modification includes a digital Mark IV anti-skid system including an improved anti-skid valve and a fault display unit to enhance maintenance troubleshooting. The modification also introduces a new lock ring wheel assembly that reduces the mean time to repair by 50 percent and eliminates the requirement to torque and do a non-destructive inspection on wheel bolts.

 Master Sgt. James Pearson, 189th Maintenance Squadron aircraft hydraulic supervisor, said, “Brakes are currently changed on average every 236 landings. It’s amazing that the new brake is rated at 2000 landings or an average of 10 years.”

 The improved carbon disc brakes improve thermal capacity by 25 percent and increase on-axle time to 10 years versus the current C-130E/H brakes that last approximately six months to one year.
 “The wing currently is scheduled to modify five additional aircraft over the next several months. All remaining 189th aircraft should be modified by the end of fiscal year 2012, and all 535 C-130H aircraft in the AF are projected to be retrofitted by the end of FY14,” said Pearson.

 “Because of the reduced maintenance, the reduced-acquisition cost, the reduced-logistics footprint and the better maintainability and reliability of these systems, there is a significant cost savings over the legacy system,” said Wheeler.

(Lt. Col. Marc A. Sicard, 189th MXS commander; contributed background information for this article)

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