Ramstein prop shop keeps blades turning

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason David
  • Detachment 4, Air Force News Agency
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNEWS) --  The C-130 Hercules plays a role in many of the most versatile missions in the Air Force, such as relief efforts and combat operations. 

With the high operations tempo in Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, maintenance is key to keep the missions going.

The 86th Maintenance Squadron's C-130 propeller repair shop here repairs all the propellers and the props' engines that come from downrange. 

"I just think it's cool that we're supplying the desert with all of the props and engines that they need to get the mission done," said Senior Airman Gerald Williams a jet engine mechanic. "And it makes me feel like I'm a part of what's going on in the world."
Most repairs are broken seals and leaks.

"We seal these as soon as they come in here," said Staff Sgt. Adam Whitehurst, Assistant NCO in charge of the propeller repair section. "Just 'cause a lot of times (the maintainers) downrange don't even have the capability to do that," he said. 

With a recent Air Force Smart Operations plan, the section made repairing the props a smoother and faster process. The work is now broken down into "cells" where two or three person teams repair a certain part of the propeller. Then it is passed to the next section, like an assembly line. This process has improved the shop's efficiency by 50 percent.

However, this process is not the only unique aspect of the shop. Active-duty personnel, reservists, civilians and high school seniors work together to get the job done.

"I'm here TDY to get some in-shop experience," said Airman 1st Class Danielle Howlett a mechanic. "I've never really dealt with props so this is all new to me."

Whether they are new to the shop, or assigned permanently, the Airmen in the section continue their mission so the C-130 Hercules can fly its mission.

"We don't really have a lot of supply coming in here from down range, so I guess we're doing a good job," Sergeant Whitehurst said.

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