News

Team Robins performs damage repair, PDM and unique refurbishment

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A C-5M Super Galaxy - one of 10 M models in the Air Force fleet - flew home Tuesday to Dover Air Force Base, Del., following a year-long visit to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex.

Its delivery is significant, not only due to Air Mobility Command's demand for its improved capabilities, but for its like-new condition due to programmed depot maintenance, a first-ever refurbishment and additional damage repairs due to an incident downrange.

In April 2012, the aircraft sustained extensive damage in its left main landing gear pod while performing airlift operations. It was unable to fly, so a team of C-5 Program Office avionics and hydraulic systems and structural engineers from Robins flew overseas, teaming with a Dover maintenance recovery team to make temporary repairs so it could safely return to the states.

The plane was scheduled for PDM here in May 2012, which includes about 70,000 hours of work involving 14,000 different maintenance operations.

In addition to its regularly-scheduled PDM, damage repair was simultaneously occurring as well as interior refurbishment work - resulting in an aircraft that bears little resemblance to its A and B model predecessors.

Notably, on the damage repair, parts were taken from a 'donor' C-5A which had been scheduled for retirement and storage in the Air Force's 'boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, N.M.

More than 3,000 hours of refurbishment included replacing sidewall panels, applying fresh paint in the cargo compartment, troop and flight decks, and placing anti-skid strips along the cargo floor, ramps, stairs and ladders.

This C-5 is part of a fleet modernization plan often referred to as the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, which includes a commercial engine variant that is more powerful, fuel efficient and quieter. The result is a modernized C-5, referred to as a C-5M.

"It extends the range and payload of this aircraft considerably," said Dave Nakayama, 559th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director.

Since this was one of three prototype M models, other modifications included an engine wire harness, installed for the first time by a joint Robins and Lockheed Martin team. The team also performed additional engine-related inspections and maintenance.

"We're just very happy to be able to partner to help the Air Force get this jet put back together," said Lawrence Davis from Lockheed Martin. "It's been a great opportunity to come together."

In addition to Lockheed Martin, leading to the C-5M's success were C-5 System Program Office engineers, the Defense Logistics Agency, Air Force Supply Chain managers, the 402nd Commodities Maintenance Group, the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron, and mechanics, planners and schedulers from the 559th AMXS.

With more than 90,000 parts stocklisted on a C-5M, finding the much-need parts would not be possible without help from throughout the supply chain. C-5Ms, modernized B models which were produced in the mid-1980s, must continue to be overhauled and made like new when they come through the complex.

"It is an ongoing challenge," said Nakayama. Parts must sometimes be locally-manufactured. "Our supply chain mission partners do everything they can to find parts. Without them we could not turn out any of our airplanes."
This particular C-5M is the fourth M model to complete PDM at Robins.