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AIMU Rota Wraps up Module Repair

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040115-12

Release Date: 1/15/2004 8:59:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Apprentice Cara Maglione, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Sailors lined up and stood at attention Dec. 29 as they bid farewell to the last F404-GE-400/402 Engine Module they repaired together at Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Unit (AIMU) Rota. The F404 Module is on its way to Sigonella to become a replacement part for an F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft engine.

The termination of F404 repair marked the start of AIMU's closure at Naval Station Rota. As the Navy re-aligns its assets in Europe, AIMU expects to close its doors permanently in approximately 18 months.

Over the last two years, AIMU produced an average of 240 modules per year, said Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW) J. D. Bernier, leading chief petty officer of the Power Plants Division.

Ships in the U.S. 5th or 6th Fleet areas are supported out of a pool of spare modules in Sigonella, Sicily, said Bernier. Ideally, inventories of at least four of each of these modules are kept in Sigonella at all times. If the part is needed for an F/A-18 Hornet on a ship, they can request it from Sigonella and make the replacement while underway.

"This is the only Level One, OCONUS [outside continental U.S.] East Coast repair site," said Bernier.

There are only three repair sites in the world, according to Bernier. The other two are in Iwakuni and Atsugi, Japan. "They're talking about consolidating Atsugi with Iwakuni, and having only one OCONUS repair site in Iwakuni," said Bernier. All of the Rota 404 repair efforts are being moved back to Naval Air Station Oceana, according to Bernier.

The AIMU Sailors worked together to fix hundreds of modules. Some started with knowledge acquired from Navy schools, and some learned through on-the-job training. One Sailor learned about his job through hands-on experience with the modules, and eventually became the leading inspector on the F404 repair team.

"They needed guys, so I just volunteered myself," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Wilfredo Briones, engine collateral duty inspector.

Inspectors have to learn everything about the module to fix it effectively, according to Briones. He conducts the inspections and decides whether the module is ready to be sent back to the fleet.

Briones said he feels proud to have finished his work with the F404 Modules.

Over the next year or so, the Sailors of AIMU Rota will continue to serve Rota's aircraft through propeller repair, avionics, airframe support or any other maintenance.

AIMU will leave behind a large hangar for different uses.

"The building will still be utilized," said Bernier, but for different reasons, such as "to help with the rework of the theatres Support Equipment by DRP-32."

With permanent markers, they all applied their signatures to the container of the departing module, and one Sailor whistled "Taps" before everyone dug into a cake at the ceremony's conclusion.