Maintainers are heart of 'Big White Jet'
ACC News
Release Date: 7/16/2003
By Tech. Sgt. Donna Elicker 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
7/15/2003 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (ACCNS) -- On paper, the E-4B is known as the National Airborne Operations Center, but to the men and women of the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, it's "The Big White Jet."
The E-4B is a militarized version of a Boeing 747 capable of performing sustained aerial command, control, communications and computers, or C4, operations in direct support to the president of the United States, secretary of Defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
One hundred, seventy-two maintainers are the heart of the E-4B. As one of three key units of the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 1st AMU is entrusted with maintaining the E-4B to meet the multifaceted demands of its unique mission.
This specialized aircraft demands much from its small team of professionals. The training requirements alone for some career specialties can take up to two years to complete.
"Although it may take awhile to get qualified, it is definitely rewarding to work with the E-4B," said Airman 1st Class Steven VanAllen, an E-4B guidance and control specialist. "I consider it an honor to be a part of this AMU."
"The best part of my job is watching the 'Big White Jet' on final approach, just gliding in," said Tech. Sgt. John Nash, E-4B dedicated crew chief. "It's a vision of freedom."
Unlike its sister units, the 1st AMU performs its own hourly phased inspections. These detailed inspections involve an average of 400 inspected items and corrective actions, and over 600 man-hours in the span of approximately 14 days.
First AMU maintainers are onboard the alert jet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NAOC mission often requires forward deployment to maintain constant geographical readiness.
The maintenance crew consists of an alert team chief, at least one technician from each maintenance specialty and five crew chiefs. A minimum of six of these maintainers are quick-start qualified, trained to start multiple engines and prepare the aircraft for flight, while waiting for alert aircrews and NAOC battle staff members to arrive.
"It's been a great experience to work on a 747, and an opportunity to visit unique places throughout the world," said Tech. Sgt. C. Don Naylor, an E-4B guidance and control alert team member.
The 1st AMU also maintains its own support section, which consists of tool, bench stock and supply people. Maintenance troops are responsible for 7,400 tools, support equipment valued at $6.3 million and handling millions of dollars of parts daily.
Sortie production for the 55th Wing is another part of the 1st AMU's job. With a 100 percent mission effectiveness rate, they perform above Air Combat Command and Air Force standards. Operating with a limited number of aircraft, meeting day-to-day mission requirements can present many challenges to the dedicated maintenance crews.
"Our maintainers are the true heroes behind the E-4's success," said Lt. Col. Louis LaPorte, the 1st Airborne Command Control Squadron operations officer. "Constant demands from operations and NAOC provide little down time for routine maintenance. The hard work and sacrifice required to keep this aging aircraft airborne is remarkable. I am moved by our maintainers' tireless devotion to mission success."
Day or night, rain or shine, 1st AMU maintainers are always hard at work on the flight line preparing the E-4B for its next mission tasking, he said.
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