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Spangdahlem, Ramstein replace antenna

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aaron-Forrest Wainwright
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  
Airmen from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron traveled north to Spangdahlem Air Base during icy road conditions to assist the 52nd Communications Squadron replace a malfunctioning Tactical Air Navigation system Jan. 16.

The TACAN antenna is a beacon for fighter and heavy aircraft that provides precise navigation and direction for pilots during approach.

"The old antenna was faulty," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Arnett, 1st CMXS craftsman. "It would randomly shut off."

 The 1st CMXS,  52nd CS and local contractors from Trier worked together through the cold weather for approximately 10 hours to fix the $180,000 antenna that sat atop a 65-foot tower. 

The six-man team from the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa from Kapaun Air Station, a local team of Spangdahlem Airfield Systems technicians and the contracted assistance of two cranes from Trier removed the problematic TACAN antenna from its tower and installed a refurbished antenna.

"We supported the (52nd CS and local contractors) with special technical support," said Arnett. "And the local work center and contractors provided a lot of support."

The 52nd CS and local contractors demonstrated the execution of skillful maintenance of two different units that don't usually work together.

"It went (smoothly)," said Senior Airman Pedro Escamilla, 52nd CS airfield system technician. "It was cold, but (we were able to finish)."

The TACAN system is set to go back online in three weeks to provide critical signals of information to aircraft flying within 200 nautical miles of Spangdahlem AB.