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New High Power Ramp Anchors Harrier Maintenance

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 4/29/2004

Story by Sgt. Matt Preston

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 28, 2004) -- Harrier pilots of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) can now have the assurance that their aircraft are in top flying condition, even in Afghanistan's challenging environment.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), the Aviation Combat Element of the 22d MEU (SOC), recently finished construction of a high power ramp which will allow maintenance efforts to continue on its AV-8B Harriers.

The high power ramp, also known as a high power, is an anchor in the ground which allows the jet maintainers the ability to test components on the aircraft while its engines are at full power, without the aircraft moving. Now that construction is complete, it only needs certification for maintainers to begin using it. Built from modular components, it's the first high power for Harriers at Kandahar.

"It's a big old Lego set," said Staff Sgt. Curt Earl, staff noncommissioned officer of the Expeditionary Air Field detachment of HMM-266 (Rein), who was responsible for the high power's construction. "The fun part is putting it together."

The ramp has three main parts - the anchor, the matting and a blast redirection plate.

The first step in the assembly of the "Lego set" was to flatten the terrain it lays on. The Marines conducted a soil density test to ensure the selected site was suitable. The area was then cleared and flattened to prepare for the next step, laying down the matting.

The matting is a series of modular aluminum plates, designed to withstand the blast of the Harriers engines. The plates surround the anchor.

The anchor is held in place by cruciform stakes blasted eight to twelve feet into the ground, and then filled with a quick hardening grout to seal them in place. Some prevent the anchor from moving horizontally, others vertically. The anchor has to withstand the full blast of the Harrier's engines, which are capable of producing 23,000 lbs. of thrust.

The last part assembled, the blast deflector plate, redirects engine wash upwards so that objects behind the ramp aren't blown away and cause a safety hazard to roadways or buildings behind it.

After the kit was put together, each cruciform stake was pull tested. The stake had to remain in place for one minute while having 10,000 lbs. of pull applied to it. Once each of the 20 stakes passed, the ramp was certified and the Marines could begin to begin testing their aircraft. The high power is a vital tool for the Harrier maintainers.

"The AV-8 is a very maintenance intensive aircraft," said Master Sgt. Kevin French, staff noncommissioned officer for Harrier powerline systems, HMM-266 (Rein). "The Marines work many hours to support the ground mission."

After a certain amount of flight hours, each Harrier must have certain components inspected to ensure safe operations. Systems such as fuel controls and gun controls need to be tested at 40 percent power or higher. The only way to test these components is with the use of the high power. These systems can't be tested independently - they must be integrated with the other systems of the aircraft.

"You have to run [the aircraft] through various RPM settings to see if the vibrations are within a certain range," said Sgt. Dustin Guerpochun, a Waikoloa, Hawaii, native who serves as an AV-8 powerline mechanic for HMM-266 (Rein). He's one of several Marines who are qualified to conduct tests on Harriers with the high power. "If it has too much vibration, it'll throw off how the motors spin."

A miscalibrated motor would be bad news for any pilot. However, weeding out vibration and other potential hazards will not be a problem for the Marines of the 22d MEU (SOC), now that the high power is completed. Now, annual testing for the jets and other maintenance requirements can be finished, even when far from home or the ship.

In addition to HMM-266 (Rein), the 22d MEU (SOC) consists of its Command Element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines and MEU Service Support Group 22. The unit will be in Afghanistan for an undetermined length of time conducting combat and civil military operations under the operational control of Combined Joint Task Force 180.

For more information on the 22d MEU (SOC)'s role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, visit the unit's web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.