News

572nd CMXS maintains propellers to keep C-130s in the fight

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  If you're familiar with the Air Force's C-130 fleet, you know they're among the most versatile aircraft in the service's inventory assisting with worldwide humanitarian and tactical missions.

Because of the wide-ranging mission, extensive wear and tear on its propellers is inevitable, and they come to Robins for refurbishment and repair.

The successful work done here is ensuring success downrange. The 572nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron produces an average of 45 blades per month, which includes assemblies from foreign military sales, the Air Force, and a Navy workload that began last fall for the P-3 Orion aircraft.

Propellers make their way through Robins across five gates, or work processes, which include over 40 'micro gates.'

Those processes begin when a set of propellers arrive at Robins. They're unpacked, cleaned, inspected and routed to the squadron's machine shop for refurbishment.

Repairs can include any drilling and sanding of parts due to cracks, then they're balanced, anodized with a protective coating, painted, balanced and inspected before being shipped throughout the Defense Logistics Agency supply chain for use in the field.

"This is a huge resource because so much of what we're doing today is trying to make our legacy aircraft last longer," said Steven Bachelor, 572nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron director. "The work we do is what gives these aircraft longevity.

"The C-130 covers a variety of platforms," he added. "They're going to be an important part of the Air Force mission for the foreseeable future, not to mention for our NATO allies and our joint force partners."

Dedication Ceremony
In commemoration of all the men and women who tirelessly labor to keep the C-130 flying, a 1/25 scale model of the aircraft has been displayed outside the C-130 System Program Office here. There will be a short dedication ceremony outside Bldg. 301, door 440, Wednesday at 1 p.m.