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Tacair Mechanics Fight Dirt, Gravel Strips:


Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The airmen maintaining USAF’s fleet of C-130 tactical airlifters operating in Southwest Asia are in a constant battle against the damage done by the dirt and gravel airstrips into which the Hercules aircraft fly to deliver troops and cargo. The gravel is chewing up tires, and the short strips mean the aircrews have to literally stand on their brakes and go into max reverse on the aircraft’s engines, which creates dust clouds that enter the engines, air conditioning system, and elsewhere. The airmen inspect every C-130—from front to back—every three days, according to TSgt. Dale Durham, a crew chief with the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing, Fort Worth, Tex.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org