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F-16 engine repair critical to AF mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nick Wilson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron's propulsion flight is responsible for facilitating maintenance for the F-16's engine around the clock. Members of the flight supply engine support for the 52nd Fighter Wing, as well as any F-16's going downrange.

The propulsion flight is a centralized repair facility for the F-16's F-110 engine and manages approximately 170 engines that have a total value of about $500 million.

"We supply engine support for ourselves and Aviano Air Base, as well as any F-16 engines that happen to break in the area of responsibility that maintainers on the flightline can't fix," said Chief Master Sgt. William Green, 52nd CMS propulsion flight chief. "If they can't figure out what's the matter with it downrange, then we take it and we'll figure it out. We'll put it on a test cell, run it like it's in the aircraft, troubleshoot it, fix it and return it."

All damage is thoroughly documented through a rigorous engine inspection plan that includes a day, to day-and-a-half checklist of more than 75 items, from filters of key engine components, to looking at internal engine parts.

"We provide a service to so many other Air Force units, so we have to make sure that any serviceable damage is thoroughly documented, because whenever a customer gets that engine, they'll also go in and do an inspection, and sometimes they may question some of the damage that is in or on that engine," said Chief Green. "It's imperative that we have all documentation in order so if anyone does have any questions, we have it there for them so it can be easily clarified, and the applicable unit can safely fly and handle their mission."

Before the flight starts tearing engines down, they have a meeting to discuss why each engine came in and formulate a plan of attack.

"We get together, talk about what the engine came in for, what we'll do to the engine and all of the modifications that are due to that particular engine when it comes in," Chief Green said.

While the propulsion flight fixes an average of four to five engines a month, it's difficult to predict how many engines will require repair each week.

"It kind of goes in peaks and valleys because it all depends on the weather conditions, how hard the aircraft are flying and what's happening downrange," Chief Green said. "There are a lot of things that go into it. Last year we produced about 58 engines."

Even though the flight's work load is unpredictable and tends to raise and lower as the weeks progress, the young Airmen are always up to the task, the chief said.

"I have a lot of young technicians in the shop and they're enthusiastic, they enjoy what they do, they understand their mission impact and that's very important," Chief Green said. "I'm very happy with what they're doing because everyone is so focused on training and mission execution. It's really nice to see because we set lofty goals for ourselves, and the maintainers are steadily climbing to higher heights."
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