Airmen begin structural analysis of C-5A

  • Published
  • By Lanorris Askew
  • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  Rolling up their sleeves, people from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron set about cutting through the skin and muscle of a C-5A Galaxy this week to remove the giant wings and lend a hand to those evaluating the aircraft’s viability for the future.

Inspections began last year on a Galaxy, tail No. 69004, but the actual tear down process is now under way, said Buc McRory, structures engineer for the strategic airlift directorate and lead engineer for the project.

“This is an engineering structural analysis project, and we’ve employed the 653rd CLSS to help us cut the plane apart,” he said.

A 10-member team of aircraft battle-damage specialists began work in November on the aircraft, one of 14 C-5As selected for retirement by the Air Force.

Master Sgt. John Manna, 653rd CLSS project team chief, said they began by removing “save-list” items, or items needed in the Air Force inventory to produce spares for the supply system. They are now working to remove the larger components from the aircraft such as the wings.

“We’re helping to support the C-5 system program office with any parts they need to get their airframes out on time with the save-list items we removed, and we’re helping the Air Force with the study,” he said.

Sergeant Manna said this is the first study of this kind ever done on the C-5A models.

There are structural technicians, crew chiefs, electricians, fuels specialists, guidance and control technicians and hydraulics specialists working on the aircraft, he said.

Although their primary mission is aircraft battle-damage repair and doing drop-in maintenance, this new mission is one they are taking on with confidence.

“This is totally different from what we usually see on a day-to-day basis,” said Sergeant Manna.

He said this job is a little harder because they have worked on C-130 Hercules and other aircraft, but this is their first C-5.

“The team is doing a great job,” he said. “So far everything is going as scheduled and on time.”

“This is really tough, dirty work in the best of conditions and working in the heat and humidity makes it ever tougher,” said Mr. McRory. “But these men are professionals. They display teamwork at its finest.”

Sergeant Manna said their goal is to get all of the major components cut and shipped by the end of the year.

According to Mr. McRory, the study came at the request of Gen. John W. Handy, Air Mobility Command commander, to determine if the aircraft’s structure is living up to predictions made in its original design.