Volunteers help clean YC-15

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On May 4, Team Edwards welcomed a YC-15, disassembled, dirty and in need of work. Through a coordinated volunteer effort from the base, the aircraft has been refurbished.

The aircraft was one of two prototypes built by McDonnell Douglas to fill the Air Force's need for a medium-to-short takeoff and landing transport.

"The YC-15 aircraft is special to this base," said Chief Master Sgt. Luis Drummond, 412th Operations Group superintendent. "The enthusiastic turnout we received for this project really illustrated the importance of the aircraft."

Volunteers spent more than 200 hours cleaning and preparing the aircraft.

"When it was disassembled and put into storage, all its seals were duct taped," said Tech. Sgt. James Holtzer, 412th Test Wing knowledge operations team flight chief . "We had to remove all the residue left by the duct tape, oil stains and the dirt it accumulated form being inactive for so long." 

The effort was started by the Airlift/Tanker Association, a private organization for Airmen and retirees, but they spread the word to all base personnel.

"Once we knew we would be cleaning the YC-15, we sent out e-mails to all the private organizations," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Halverstadt, 412th OG career enlisted aviator evaluator. "With widespread information about the cleaning, we received a good turnout of volunteers." 

One problem was solved, but another one loomed -- the cleanup had to be accomplished out beyond the west gate near the Century Circle aircraft display area, where there is no electric power and no water.

"To do jobs like this, there are certain necessities that couldn't be accessed out there," Chief Drummond said. "We had to work around the obstacles such as having no access to power or water, which are both crucial to accomplishing a job like this." 

With a bit of ingenuity, paint scrapers, fine grit sandpaper and a power washer the volunteers scrubbed and buffed the vintage prototype until it was ready to show.

"We would like to thank everyone who came out to help us and the hard work they put into getting the job accomplished," Chief Drummond said.

For Airman 1st Class David Carter, 412th TW information manager, he said he was happy to volunteer and was enthusiastic about being part of something with such strong historical ties to the base.

"It was the first time I have ever had an opportunity to work on an aircraft," Airman Carter said. "It was a tremendous learning experience. We had a good time and were excited about all the history the YC-15 has on this base."

With the cleaning complete, the aircraft will formally become a part of Edwards' Century Circle Display at the west gate. The display already features six Century Series aircraft, the F-100, F-101, F-102, and F-104, F-105 and F-106 as well as an 18-foot high, 28-foot wide control tower used here from1950 until 1988.

"Because of the manpower we had and their dedication to getting this job accomplished, we did a spectacular job cleaning up the YC-15," Sergeant Holzer said. "Everyone who worked on the aircraft should be proud of what they accomplished."