Propulsion Flight provides power to Edwards' birds

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Hernandez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Every manned jet aircraft flying missions at Edwards, from high-performance fighters to massive cargo planes, have one important thing in common -- their engines are kept running by the 412th Maintenance Squadron's Propulsion Flight.

One of the propulsion flight's primary missions is to provide developmental test and engineering support to the Air Force Flight Test Center, which is home to a wide variety of engine types.

"There are so many different types of airframes here," said Randy Evey, production superintendent for the 412th MXS propulsion flight. "The majority of engine shops work on one or two models of engine. We have five or six different types -- and different models within those types of engines to support. The big difference between us and the rest of the Air Force is diversity. We have everything from motors designed back in the '40s to those designed in the last five to 10 years."

The flight's test cell provides support to aircraft on the flight line and engine tests.

"The test cell personnel are the first line of defense," said Larry Wolford, 412th MXS Propulsion Flight propulsion manager. "Our first mission here is to maintain the aircraft so the mission can continue. If there is a problem with an engine, our personnel will go out there to try and fix it on the spot. After that, we will work all of the uninstalled engines."

Aircraft serviced by the flight include the B-2 Spirit, B-1B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, F-16 Fighting Flacon and T-38 Talon.

"Currently, we have two different engine tests going on," Mr. Wolford said. "The General Electric J85-GE-5 overheat tests are being conducted for the T-38C's. We are also testing the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220 engines with groups 6 and 9 digital electronic engine control tests. The engine goes in both the F-15 Eagle and F-16. These tests are aimed at improving the capabilities of those systems. The electronics are the brain that operates the engines."

In addition to supporting Edwards, Propulsion Flight supports many other organizations.

"We aid the warfighter with support to the AFFTC's daily operations," Mr. Wolford said.

Over the last couple of years, the flight has supported the warfighter more directly. Flight chiefs from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, have called upon the flight for help. They have been sending the propulsion flight engines from deployed locations that require major rebuilds.

"When we're finished, the motors are brand new," Mr. Wolford said.

Another unique mission the propulsion flight supports is the Navy's Top Gun School at Fallon Naval Air Station, Nev.

"Our engine shop maintains all of the engines for their aggressor squadron of F-16s," Mr. Wolford said.

Fallon called the propulsion flight to repair an engine that could be repaired on the aircraft, he said. However, the repair was beyond their capabilities.

"I had two personnel with orders in hand on their way by noon." Mr. Wolford said.

Aircraft manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman regularly seek the flight's support when engine problems arise.

"We do a lot of work for Lockheed Martin's foreign customers," Mr. Wolford said. "We have motors for Poland, Oman, Greece and other countries. When the manufacturer flies the aircraft before delivery, the engines can sometimes break. They don't have the capability to fix them, so they will send them to us."

The propulsion flight is comprised of 98 civilian personnel. The flight also offers students from the Antelope Valley College the opportunity to get into their line of work.

"We have a co-op program with the Antelope Valley College," Mr. Wolford said. "It involves students enrolled in the airframe and powerplant program. They must have enough time in their program to earn 640 hours of pay here. Once they receive their certificates, I can start them as a full-time employee. Also, when someone retires or takes a different job, I can bring these students up."

Students earn an associate's degree upon completion of the AMP program and general education requirements, he said. The AMP program also gives them Federal Aviation Administration certification to work on aircraft.

"Although the Air Force doesn't require FAA certification, it will help them in the civilian world," Mr. Wolford said.

A dramatic increase of engine numbers is planned for the near future in propulsion flight, he said.

"The Air Force is working to become leaner and more efficient and to bring in new weapons systems," Mr. Wolford said.

Edwards is slated to become the West Coast Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220 and 229 centralized intermediate repair facility.

"We will also provide overload capabilities for General Electric F110 engines for the F-16's," Mr. Wolford said.

That means the propulsion flight's normal output of 150 to 160 engines a year will increase by an additional 264 engines a year.

"The Air Force will be asking for us to provide 1.1 engines a day," Mr. Wolford said. "We will double in size to meet the demand. I can't wait for it to happen."

The Air Force standard for F-15 and F-16 engine flight time is 300 hours. The aircraft engines the propulsion flight maintains are averaging 600 hours.

"I've had 27 years of experience in the Air Force and 12 different bases," Mr. Evey said. "As far as propulsion flights go, this is as good as it gets."