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Show Page HILL TOP TIMES 10 TDY Mav 13. 1977 teams enews aircraft at 2952n Can you imagine reporting in to a squadron at Hill AFB the where commander's welcoming remarks included something like, "I'm sure you'll find your tour here a most rewarding one. Now, here are your passport and orders for the Azores." Yes, an unlikely scanario if you are being assigned to one of Hill's conventional units. But then there is the unconventional 2952nd Combat Logistic Support Squadron (CLSS), a highly specialized AFLC unit charged with aircraft mobile, world-widmaintenance, supply and transportation support of Air Force units. e 60 percent TDY "We presently have percent of our men on 60 y tem-porar- assignment somewhere else in the world," said Senior Master Sergeant Joseph C. Hanna, NCOIC of the unit's TDY Control Center at Hill. At his desk, the veteran of aircraft main23-ye- ar tenance swiveled around, pointing at plexiglass panels which showed the status of the various teams. "We've got eight teams out right now, and those sergeants by that desk are picking up TDY orders for Kunsan Air Base, Korea. They'll be there for a month or two repairing an F-- 4 aircraft bulkhead." Korea to Florida 4. F-- 4 at: repair. F-4- s. aircraft, but we are not F-- 4 limited to that," Sergeant Hanna said. Some of the unusual ac- the AFB, Calif., repairing wing damage on an F-- 4 fighter. Kadena AB, Okinawa, repairing bulkhead on F--- Mather AFB, Calif., 2 a bomber repairing wing. Gila Bend, Ariz., repairing 4. B-5- Air Guard to EC-47- in Viet- s nam. He has unusual power for a squadron commander in that he takes part in the selection process of new personnel joining the 2952nd skills el and technicians NCOs," he pointed out. "We don't merely launch and recover aircraft. We're deeply involved with extensive, often complex maintenance and repair work. That means all incoming airmen must have at least their five-levskill ." The squadron's eliteness can be traced not only to individuals possessing high skill levels, but technicians willing to assist each other in tasks not in their particular job description. el targets for aircrews of the technical assistance and providing instruction to Spanish personnel employed at the depot facility, Casa Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Inspecting and reconaircraft at ditioning 15 Tyndall AFB, Fla., for the Air National Guard. A continuing program of n crews living aboard railroad cabooses to provide of monitoring F-1- RF-84F- proven targets provided realistic Giving extensive background in aircraft maintenance ranging s in the from servicing "This unit's demanding mission requires skilled, n 388th TFW.) Cannibalization The major himself has an Five-lev- closure of bases in Thailand by inventorying, crating and U.S. shipping valuable materials back to the United States and other PACAF bases. A seven-mateam conand missile structing aircraft targets out of barrels and telephone poles, simulating an enemy airfield. (The 01 two-ma- ur Minuteman missiles being shipped to SAC sites throughout the west. team assisting Hill's Base Civil Engineers to identify and replace unsafe electrical plugs with approved safety plugs throughout the base. "And coming up is a defoliant disposal operation at Gulf port, Miss., that will in- - "Prima donnas we don't have," one section chief emphasized. "We send out teams - not a bunch of individuals - to get a job done. Granted, a lot of jobs require the individual to apply his own ingenuity, but then he may be called on to assist in an area outside his expertise. Out in the 'boonies,' it's amazing how versatile these fellows are." Busy at home 10-m- an Although too some 88,000 manhours TDY" were expended in 1976 to support ALC Ogden projects throughout the world, the technicians are kept equally as busy while on home station. Close to 50 NCOs were on Operation READY SWITCH with the 388th TFW. And in hangar 218, a long-term project i s 1, J "ill if centers around In the flightline hangar, MSgt. John Parr directs a team of squadron technicians as they put together three F-- 4 Phantoms. "This F-- 4 is being made up from the remains of W 1 s five different that crashed or otherwise were no F-4- longer in flying condition. We've started to work on this plane in January and it should be flying late this year at a fraction of the original cost of an F-"The F-- 4 next to this one will require an even longer time to repair," he continued. "Despite all those manhours and cost for parts, we know the taxpayer will realize a huge savings by rebuilding this plane. "Just take these two we are rebuilding," Sergeant Parr said. "They cost about $9 million each when new. In their present condition, they are a total loss, but for an estimated $1.3 million labor and parts, they'll be as good as any F-- 4 in the Air Force inventory." "Some of the parts will have to be made locally, so this involves waiting time. But isn't it worth being patient when potential savings can add up to millions?" 4 I 4. Confidence Parr walked around the scarred Phantoms, he proudly introduced his As Sergeant airmen-technician- - ""if - 1 $ Z - NECESSARY PARTS At Warehouse 7C, Sgt. Edward Moore (right) and TSgt. Bernard Sampson, materials facilities specialists, receive property from base supply. Although primarily a maintenance organization, the 2952nd Combat Logistics Support Squadron is heavily involved in supply and maintenance. (U.S. Air Force Photo) Award. Call it courage, determination and maybe even a little pigheadedness -well, call it whatever it is that makes up that rare type of personality that can persevere in face of tasks that would overcome a lesser man. When approached with this praise, Sergeant Parr just modestly shrugged, "We'd all be overcome if we tried to mentally digest all at once the magnitude of these large rebuild tasks. ex- s, confidence and resoluteness in undertaking what seemingly appears to be an insurmountable task. pressing With the unit since 1971, this veteran in aircraft 20-ye- ar maintenance indirectly revealed by his own strong character why the 2952nd Combat Logistics Support Squadron has twice won the Air Force Outstanding Unit "The secret in avoiding anxiety is to work one day at a time, focusing on the immediate task, always knowing that ultimately these birds will fly again with the best." S&itZSjl 4 fv world rebuilding salvable F-- 4 aircraft that have suffered extensive crash damage. squadron. CLSS. by complishments squadron last year included: Supply and transportation personnel assisting in the base A -- Edward P. Robert Maj. of the commander Weekley, said Eglin AFB, Fla., repairing bird strike damage to an F-- 4 intake. Two large teams in Korea modifying "As you can see, our work primarily involves repairing 24-ho- The grease pencil charts showed other teams working volve some 17 of our people," fuselage on F--- Greensville, S.C.. assisting aroun Hi , i y-- v. A Story and photos -- Z, y ' X'X by MSgt. John Mahony ! - r fn Hangar 218, TSgt. Steven Salazar advises BY THE BOOI. a (seated) on installing belkranks and Cot Amn. Sr. Steven F-- 4 a aircraft. (U.S. Air hydraulic lines on crash-damage- Force Photo) d' i - KOBF.A I'.Ol'NI) TSt. Joseph (i. Le Blanc and SSgl. Tyrone (). Fields, structural repairmen, pick up their temporary duty orders from TSgt. William Welcher (right), TOY Control Center. The two sergeants will be at Kunsan AB, Korea, repairing a bulkhead in an F-- 4 Phantom. (C.S. Air Force Photo) |