COMMENDATION OF 28 SQN AND 1 ASU TECHNICAL PERSONNEL AT AFB WATERKLOOF

On 15 February 2005 all C130s, except no 408 and 409, were grounded pending an investigation by Lockheed Martin on the status of the outer wings. This, combined with the recent loss of a number of experienced personnel, made it difficult for the technical personnel to keep the two available aircraft serviceable. Another setback for the technical personnel occurred shortly after the grounding of aircraft 408 and 409.

On 24 February 2005, during a force preparation exercise, the engines of aircraft 409 were accidentally over torqued. It subsequently took the Air Operations Maintenance Support Section only five days to rectify the problem. The radio/radar, and electrical and instrument sections voluntarily assisted the engine mechanical section with the task of repairing the defects.

The airframe crew of 28 Sqn solved an undercarriage defect on aircraft 408. The defect was identified as a squealing noise heard during the cycling of the undercarriage and vibration on the nose landing gear. Sgt Berry, solved the problem when he removed the snubber valve. He discovered that a shear pin was responsible for the squealing noise and the slow retraction of the undercarriage.

The dedication and perseverance of the technical personnel at 28 Sqn and the 1 ASU are truly commendable.