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Show HILLTOP TIMES Last F-16 delivered for CIP upgrade May 8, 2008 Synthetic fuel tests start on engine for F-15sandF-16s BY DEANNA SHALLENBERGER 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs A irmen of the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing received their final Block 40 F-16 to complete the Common Configuration Implementation Program upgrade April 21. The modifications, made by members of Hill's 309th Maintenance Wing, began in November 2005 to enhance the capabilities of the 30-year-old aircraft. The upgrade focused on an improved interface between the pilot and the aircraft as well as structural and electrical software enhancements. Each aircraft underwent 5,530 hours of maintenance to install more advanced avionics systems such as Link-16 and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System. JHMCS equips pilots with a heads-up display in their helmet visor, enabling them to select a target without changing the jet's direction. The Link-16 data link brings U.S. and coalition partner aircraft into a joint service, multinational system, providing situational awareness data and command and control functions to a connected community of users. Pilots from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing undergo several training sorties, dedicated to becoming familiar with the new CCIP upgrade. 4th Fighter Squadron pilot, Capt. Steve Shallenberger has been flying with the CCIP upgrade for one year. He was deployed to Iraq with his squadron last year, and they were the first to take CCIP-up- TlMES BY JANAE DANIELS Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs A ALEX LLOYD/U.S. Air Force The final 388th Fighter Wing Block 40 F-16 to undergo Common Configuration Implementation Program upgrades is handed over to Col. Scott Dennis, '388th FW commander, in a ceremony April 21. Hill's 4th Fighter Squadron was the first to fly CCIP F-16s in combat in August 2007. day shift supervisor for the 573rd graded F-16s to combat. AMXS. "CCIP changed the way we emEach cell of the 573rd AMXS is ploy in Iraq," said Captain Shalresponsible for different aspects lenberger. "It made the jet a much of the aircraft during the upgrade. more effective weapon system." Aircraft are moved through the "The upgrades give me more hangar to individual cells where confidence in the jet I am flying, steps in the upgrade are performed. and my ability to employ with felProgress in each area is tracked low wingman," he said. and measured to improve efficienMechanics in the CCIP line are cy. Price said it is rewarding when experienced and understand their he sees the finished product out contributions to the mission. "The flying because he knows what he's entire CCIP team is committed to producing the highest quality prod- done works. uct for the fighter squadrons we "I appreciate the great work that support," said Tim Landureth, an the depot has done, putting this toaircraft modification supervisor. gether," said Col. Geoffrey Bacon, Work on the F-16s by the 573rd 388th Aircraft Maintenance squadron commander. "The fact that this Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group, is the last one, that all of our jets involved stripping out old systems, now have the CCIP upgrade, it's just awesome." building a new electrical system, and adding new and updated parts Col. Scott Dennis, 388th FW v throughout. • ' commander, accepted the combat"The work was challenging and ready aircraft back into the fleet instilled a sense of pride in the 100 from Brig. Gen. Ait Cameron, 309th or so employees involved in the Maintenance Wing commander, in a process," said Gary Price, cell four- ceremony April 21. RNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. — Engineers at Arnold Engineering Development Center began testing a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine April 29 in the J-l simulated altitude jet engine test cell using a blend of alternative synthetic fuel. The engine is the power plant for the F15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Once testing and evaluation is complete, this will be the first fighter jet engine to use the synthetic blend. Since 2006, AEDC specialists have taken an active role in supporting the U.S. Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Office in the evaluation and certification of the synthetic paraffinic kerosene alternative fuel, which is derived from natural gas or coal using the Fischer-Tropsch process, for use in all Air Force aircraft. Testing at AEDC on the General Electric F101 engine, the power plant for the B-l Lancer bomber, was the first series of testing of a high performance, afterburning engine with FT fuel for a combat aircraft. This engine also was tested in the center's J-l high altitude jet engine test cell. Air Force officials have already certified the engines for the B-52 Stratofortress bomber to operate on FT fuel, and the C-17 Globemaster III transport has flown on SPK fuel. The successful flight of the B-1B on March 19 helped to reinforce the feasibility of the projected timeline for the Air Force's alternative fuels initiative. Since 1969, AEDC has logged more than 20,000 hours testing the F100 engine. f^^ ZIONS BANK WANTS TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES. >>.;•• FOR PROTECTING S3 OUR COUNTRY •\ i : •> ^- -'~i Open a checking account in our Roy office and get a free' Safe Deposit Box* to protect your valuables. Just our \vt way of thanking you during Armed Forces week. cr> 'Offer good until Juno 30,2006 for now Zioi\s Bank customers. .:••": '.."/ Come in and enter to win a signed print by local artist Alan Firestorie.** **Must be 18 or older to enter. No purchase necessary. Zions employees and family are not ctlgibto to win. Sco branch (or complete contest rulos. , - \: • ROY OFFICE .,,:•""•:• 5774 South 1900 West • Roy, UT 84067 • 801 -626-0506 ; ; ; ZIONS BANK |