Thomas L. Gillespie - Member Since: 26 November 2006
Thomas L. Gillespie
Valdosta, Ga. 31602
Kristisguy_00@Hotmail.Com
or
ssgt_chipmunk@kc130.com
SSgt. – United States Air-Force
Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman
2001 - Currently in Service
Me and My Loving Bride Kristi
Plenty of Room for your Stories and Additional Photo's
Tom In The Horn of Africa
Airmen maintain life-saving aircraftStory by: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente CJTF-HOA Public Affairs |
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CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti - While Americans stateside are feeling the autumn breeze and seeing the colors of the leaves change, more than 1,800 coalition and U.S. servicemembers are enduring the extreme heat of Djibouti. This extreme heat can take its toll on the human body, but for more than 30 Airmen assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., the high temperature, sand and dirt can also wreak havoc on their HC-130P Hercules aircraft. Maintainers assigned to 81st ERQS are responsible for giving the 1965-model helicopter refueling aircraft some tender loving care around-the-clock, in support of search and rescue missions in the Horn of Africa. “Our unit’s mission here is to support Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa by providing combat search and rescue capability in the area of responsibility,” said Air Force Maj. Octavio F. Echevarria, 81st ERQS commander. CJTF-HOA’s area of responsibility is two-thirds the size of the United States. Servicemembers are spread across the Horn of Africa in an operational effort to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interest in order to prevail against extremism. “We stand ready to launch aircraft and support the recovery of personnel downrange who are performing missions in support of the CJTF-HOA,” said Echevarria, a Tampa, Fla., native. In a deployed environment, the maintainers are aligned with the operations personnel. The unit shares a common goal of maintaining a constant state of preparedness for the aircraft and personnel, because both must be ready to launch at a moment’s notice to assist in the recovery of task force personnel, the major said. Since their arrival, the unit has remained proficient despite the arduous maintenance the aircraft require due to the harsh effects of the weather. “We’ve remained mission capable to save lives and perform combat search and rescue,” said Air Force 1st Lt. Lisa A. Stokey, a Brooksville, Fla., native and 81st ERQS maintenance officer-in-charge. “When aircraft have encountered maintenance problems, our professionals have used their skills to minimize the downtime [for a particular aircraft] to a bare minimum. Our Hercs are workhorses, and they continue to get the mission done.” Problems for the maintainers, who encompass a large area of expertise including an aerospace propulsion craftsman, a flying crew chief and an aerospace ground equipment journeyman, range from electronic and hydraulic issues, to engine-specific problems, such as flame-outs and propeller leaks. “We have some of the same problems at home station, but they are more intensified over here,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Michael S. McMullan, 81 ERQS production supervisor from Valdosta, Ga. “The heat will get to some of the electrical components causing various problems. Sand and dirt can get into every crack and crevice causing hydraulic seals to go bad, resulting in leaks and ruptures.” With the knowledge the maintenance specialties in this unit hold, the maintainers overcome these obstacles by working as a team. “First we assess the situation and gather all the facts,” said McMullan. “We then use our training, experience and technical orders to formulate a solution. Finally, we test the solution, implement the explanation, and move forward to produce huge results on all fronts.” To avoid major problems, maintainers conduct several types of inspections. These inspections include, but are not limited to, pre-flight, through-flight and basic post-flight inspections. “Finding a small problem early can make the difference between having to change an engine or a prop and causing the aircraft to go off alert status,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas L. Gillespie, 81 ERQS aerospace propulsion craftsman. Despite the conditions, the maintenance crews are fans of the HC-130Ps. The maintainers have such an interest in the aircraft they support. They have traced the history of the planes back to the Vietnam era and have given the Hercs nicknames such as “The Beast.” The Hercules first took to the sky in 1953. The HC-130Ps have been in the air since 1964. Similar to the maintenance of a car, the work on an aircraft becomes more frequent with age, but McMullan feels these aircraft are in great shape. “They are only 42 years old,” said the master sergeant. “You know the 40s are the new 20s. I hope I work and look that good when I’m 42.” |
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