News

McChord Reservists get into tight spots

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
  • 446th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  It's a space few people would enjoy spending time in - dark, cramped and fraught with danger. But for the 15 Reserve aircraft fuel system technicians assigned to the 446th Maintenance Squadron here, it's all part of a day's work.

"Aircraft fuels systems are complex, which is why it takes highly-trained specialists to maintain, troubleshoot and repair them during Home Station Checks," said Tech. Sgt. Deidre Barry, 446th MXS aircraft fuel systems technician.

These uniquely qualified specialists work inside and outside of fuel tanks to remove, repair, inspect, install and modify aircraft fuel systems. Because of its constricted space, working inside a fuel tank presents exceptional challenges.

"Within a C-17, for example, the fuel tanks are located inside the wings where the largest workspace is about the size of a coffin," said Master Sgt. David Platter, 446th MXS aircraft fuel systems NCOIC.

"Once inside, the worker may navigate through separate compartments, carefully maneuvering through jump holes to reach those compartments," said Barry. "Technicians also have to be mindful of their movements, as they must follow the same motions to exit. Many tank spaces become progressively smaller until a technician is forced to lie on their stomach or back, with just inches of headroom," said the Portland, Ore., native.

"Most of our work involves working in confined spaces," said Platter. "It's what technicians can't see within an aircraft fuel tank that's most deadly: potentially hazardous atmospheric conditions caused by invisible or combustible gases."

For technicians, entry into aircraft fuel tanks is a unique and difficult form of work. It's required during major maintenance and to rectify emergent problems, such as fuel leaks, sensor replacement, fuel boost pump failure, wiring trouble, or to inspect engine pylons and structural damage to wings, said Barry.

Working inside aircraft fuel tanks is hazardous and requires several considerations, including strict safety procedures for personnel and equipment.  According to Senior Master Sgt. David Ponce, 446th Airlift Wing ground and weapons safety manager, the 446th MXS has a top-notch safety record.  

"For any confined space work, three people are assigned to perform the task," said Barry. "One person is the designated 'entrant' who works inside the confined space, one is assigned 'attendant,' who monitors the entrant and a third 'runner,' who provides support by monitoring safety equipment and retrieving tools or equipment."

Reservists from the 446th MXS understand every inch of an airplane's fuel system because there's no room for error in maintaining mission-ready aircraft.

"Keeping the world's most sophisticated cargo delivery system mission ready by maintaining the aircraft fuel systems on board requires routine HSC's, to the tune of three aircraft per week cycled through the HSC hangars," said Platter, who hails from Yakima, Wash. "Thirty percent of all production hours available to the section this year have been performed by Reservists. That equates to 1,577 maintenance hours for about 150 aircraft jobs here."

In addition to supporting aircraft maintenance at home station, Reservists from the 446th MXS support 50 percent of the deployment taskings downrange, according to Platter.

"The rubber meets the ramp downrange. We have a cadre of maintenance people at en route locations to support aircraft with critical fuel systems maintenance issues, keeping the flow of cargo and passengers flowing," said Platter, who is a 26-year fuels systems veteran.

"We strive to be on par with our active-duty counterparts and augment them to the fullest extent of our ability to really bring home the team effort that the Associate wing (program) is all about," said Platter.