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Boeing To Inspect C-17s, Determine Maintenance Schedule
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --- The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center signed a one-year direct sales agreement Monday with Boeing Aircraft Company to perform inspections on C-17 "Globemaster III" cargo planes.
The agreement calls for the ALC to perform analytical condition inspections on a selected number of C-17s during the contract period. The planes will undergo a 45-day inspection that will look for hidden wear and tear and to predict future maintenance actions on the Air Force's newest outsized cargo aircraft.
The results of the inspection will be sent to Boeing, which will use the information to build a maintenance schedule to keep the C-17 flying smoothly, efficiently and safely.
"This Air Logistics Center is a vital resource for the Department of Defense and the Air Force's global mobility. No doubt, the strong legacy of the Robins ALC in airlifter maintenance played a key role in our selection for this contract. We look forward to the arrival of the first C-17 in April 2000 and we'll be ready for this next generation airlifter," said Deryl Israel, deputy director of the C-141 System Program Office.
Robins was chosen for many reason, said Roger A. Hobbs, project manager for the C-17 Project Office.
"Of the three (Air Force Materiel Command) depots, Robins is the home of the airlift maintenance community and has the heavy aircraft experience suited for the C-17," said Hobbs.
The work load will not mean an increase in the work force at Robins, but will allow workers from the C-141 System Program Office to crosstrain into the C-17 division.
The C-141, which is being phased out of the Air Force inventory, may have also given Robins an edge in the C-17 contract decision since the additional capacity will allow Robins to handle the work load for the future, said Hobbs.
Other depots are also being considered for facets of C-17 maintenance such as landing gear work.
Jerry Brady, contract administrator for the C-17 Project Office, said much hard work and effort from Robins team members made the project a success.
Hobbs participated in the project from the beginning in the summer of 1997. Hobbs directed the technical aspects for the work along with the project planning.
Two members of the bid team office -- James "Buddy" Fordham, a contracting officer, and Emory Griffin, a price analyst, were also involved from the beginning. They put the proposal together and assisted in negotiating the terms and conditions. Alan Sampson and James Muncy provided additional technical assistance.
"If it wasn't for (this team), there would have been no document for me to sign," Brady said. "Signing was easy, getting it to that point was the hard part."
(by 2nd Lt. Jeff Roberts; Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs)
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Boeing To Inspect C-17s, Determine Maintenance Schedule