94th MXG goes nuts to keep C-130s flying Published June 8, 2009 By Master Sgt. P.N. Brown 94 AW/PA DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- As a matter of routine approximately every six years aircraft from every base are sent to the Periodic Depot facility for a thorough inspection. At PDM, panels, hatches and components are removed so technicians can look deep into the hidden recesses of the airplane. They are looking for the unexpected and hoping not to find it...this time they found it in the form of a large nut on the C-130s here. And not just one nut, there are 13 of these nuts and bolts on each side of the aircraft. These bolts are located about one third of the way down on each wing section of the C-130. They hold the wing on to the aircraft. Not a small task for such small parts. Upon examination the PDM found cracks in some of the nuts and on some the part number couldn't be matched to any number in the known inventory for the Air Force supply system. "When the aircraft go to the PDM they strip it down to the frame. Everything is scrutinized and taken apart to make sure it passes rigorous standards," said Maj. James Bayone, deputy commander, 94th Maintenance Group. This time it didn't pass the standards but the system worked. According to Maj. Bayone, within a few hours the call went out to stop everything else and examine these nuts on the aircraft here. But the calls didn't stop there; this was a problem that affected every C-130 from the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and some foreign countries. Once the 94th MXG began searching for any cracked or non-recognized serial numbers on the nuts here they found five planes that were affected. While no cracked nuts were found, numerous suspect parts were discovered. Now the challenge was to remedy the situation while still meeting the mission, training the student pilots and doing so on schedule. "It put a strain on the supply system because of the sudden need for the same part by so many. Everyone needed it in a hurry and couldn't do without it," explained Maj. Bayone. But through excellent communication with numerous units and people, teamwork and a team of 120 Air Reserve Technicians and other reservists they met the challenge head on and in great time. In about four weeks most of the nuts were replaced and in short order, the entire Dobbins fleet was up and flying. And all of this was done while all of the student pilots accomplished their training on time and the flying missions were not compromised. In maintenance something as small as this nut can cost a life or lives that's why everything is followed by the book without compromise. "You have to be able to stand the scrutiny, you can't be afraid, you have to be careful because people are counting on you," he concluded.
