Test cell upgrades capability, reliability

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Another piece of the digital age arrived June 14 at the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron engine-test cell here as the operational test of a C-130 Hercules engine with a new 21D model engine-test cell brought the unit up to par with home station capabilities. 

The new digital model brought increased capabilities and added reliability to replace the current analog 21A model engine-test cell. 

"I've seen the 21A model test cell once, but never operated it before coming here," said Tech. Sgt. Douglas McCloskey, an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the unit. 

When he was first deployed here in 2006, the section was still building the area to support the analog test cell as a new capability. Engine test cells provide the 379th EMXS members full capability to produce T56 engines used by C-130s. Prior to the test cell, engines were shipped to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for testing, which substantially lengthened the maintenance downtime and turnaround rates. 

"If the engine cannot be operationally checked on a test cell, then they cannot be called serviceable, which is required before we can place it on an aircraft," said Sergeant McCloskey, who is deployed from the 19th Component Maintenance Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. 

The updated software enhances the test capability and is more reliable, said the native of Clearwater, Fla. Being digital also makes it easier to get replacement parts. If a component broke on the 21A model, a contractor would have to come in to repair it. Now, much more support can be handled locally by the computer technicians in the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. 

Hard work and a team effort from many units brought the system to theater. 

"I was impressed with how everyone came together and made it a very safe operation. If we didn't work together as a team, there could have been hazardous situations tearing the old unit down and building up the new one," Sergeant McCloskey said. 

Staff Sgt. Todd Caddell was a key member bringing his knowledge as the only section member who had prior experience tearing down an old model and installing a new one, he said. Once the "A" model was prepared, collapsing it was handled by one night shift. Within two hours, the new model was erected. Securing the tie-downs and routing cables to connect all the systems to the control cab took a few days. 

"The project was scheduled for seven days but was accomplished in five. The contractor who oversaw the teardown and setup said 'He had never seen it go so smoothly,'" Sergeant McCloskey said. 

The whole process to upgrade to the digital model in use throughout the Air Force began one year ago, said Maj. Todd Andre, the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron commander. 

"It is the hard work from the engine test cell shop and the collaboration between many agencies that allowed us to stand up this capability," the commander said. 

A lot of teamwork from the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, Host Nation Coordination Cell, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and Transportation Management Office made this possible, Major Andre said. The 379th EMXS precision measurement equipment laboratory helped calibrate everything for operational use. 

"Their work here to build this advance technology test cell impacts the theater and areas outside the theater," said Col. Robert Stephenson, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander.