NMCB 74 Crew Assists with Engine Swap
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110224-05
2/24/2011
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- The crane crew of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 assisted Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 with an engine swap in Rota, Spain, when a routine 600-hour maintenance check uncovered a damaged turbine, Jan. 5.
According to Equipment Operator 3rd Class John Connell, the crane operator, the team rehearsed the day before, simulating zero clearance and was fortunate to discover a six-inch clearance when they arrived onsite.
"While removing and inserting that engine, it had to be put in level. With only six inches on the top and the bottom of it, we had to move extremely slow to get that out without damaging anything on the aircraft or the engine itself," said Connell. "It wasn't the easiest lift we've done by any means, but the dry run helped out a lot."
Safety is always paramount for 74's crane crew. Before any work could be done, the "safety envelope" was established and Equipment Operator 2nd Class Jason Swart delivered the safety brief to both crews. Once briefed, the two teams went to work as one to accomplish the lift without incident.
"They've [the crane crew] been really hands on with both what we're doing on the aircraft and how they're operating the crane. With the Seabees, it was safety first. We're taking our time making sure we do it the right way by the book," said Naval Aircrewman Avionics 1st Class Allen Peter.
The engine's weight did not tax the crane's nearly 14,000-pound load limit, but according to Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Hector Alvarado the lift was anything but routine for the crane crew.
"It was a complex lift, because of the way we had to do it," said Alvarado.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb74/.
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