larry myers

Robert, you are the man. When I read Capt. Eko's initial post I thought this one is going to die on the vine. But no way, not on this web site. The ability of the active posters to come up with answers to obscure questions never ceases to amaze me.

Have no idea of part number, etc, just know that what I always had was the standard green wood and canvas stretcher with the metal scissor-type spreaders............

My recollection also. I'm thinking it was the standard U.S. Army stretcher. Kept one on my aircraft.

Robertus, perhaps it would help it you talked to one of your army buddies.

Bob, One of these days your wife is going to click on this site and you'll be sleeping in the spare bedroom.

Giz, I don't remember when the program started but it was several years before I retired. It came about as a result of upstanding troops that were doing outstanding work but were having a difficult time advancing in rank. Primarily because of difficulty taking promotion tests.

I don't recall any maintenance or ops troops being promoted under this program. And I never knew anyone that had been STEP promoted. Mostly cops, admin. troops ect. The number of troops promoted via STEP was very small and did not count against normal promotion quotas. Promotions mostly involved SSgt, TSgt and MSgt with long time in grade.

STEP was a beneficial low key noncontroversial program during my time. I'm guessing that hasn't changed.

Thanks much guys.

Is the term the “Hawk” (strong cold winter wind) still used when maintaining aircraft on the flight line when it is cold outside? Is anything colder than working on a C-130 @ 3AM at McGuire NJ in the winter…I don’t think so.

Robert, Well, perhaps Bodo, Norway? Especially with JP running down your arm.

As for the term Hawk, gotta say you've got me. Don't recall ever hearing that word used.

I like....a lot. Where can you buy it?

Sure to piss off my gun control liberal neighbors. These are the same neighbors that think Snowden is a hero.

I like to create shock and awe by showing them my AK with a 30 round mag.

Around 1994 or so as the U gunship was achieving IOC I was TDY a lot to Hurlbert to the gunship AMU. The sqd. was selling T shirts with the gunship in action and a caption that said, "You can run but you'll only die tired." It was a big seller. Now I wish I'd bought more than one.

Don, I think we're talking about the same gasthaus. Though I remember it just before the railroad crossing and on the left side of the street leaving the base. It was, as you said, very popular with GIs. The fact it was but a mile or two from the front gate had to account for part of it's popularity. There was an outdoor patio that butted right up to the tracks.

The owner, Freddie was an old guy so it's likely he'd retired or passed on by your tour. He had an affinity for us and we liked him. When not busy he would set and talk with us. He once told us that during WW II as Germany was falling, if not for the US Army, he and his family would have starved to death.

I was in the RM area in 1982. A new road had been constructed including an overpass of the railroad. The original crossing next to Freddies while still open to pedestrian traffic had been closed to automobiles.

Holy cow, that GopherBoi guy sounds like a real hard ass. Just the kind of guy I want in my outfit.

My first crew chief was a young tough Mexican American (first one I'd met). On our first meeting he took me aside, pulled the biggest knife I'd ever seen from his pocket. He then said to me, you do everything I say or I cut you long, wide and deep. Believe me, as long as I was on his crew I followed his instruction to the letter.

Nitrogen is the preferred source of dry gas because it is more stable and less suceptible to temperature and pressure changes as compared to dry air which has oxygen in it.

Kael,

What I'm trying to ascertain is what current C-130 tech data allows me to use, for example, to inflate a tire. Is compressed air permissible?

I don't have access to herk tech data so I'm at your mercy.

Be safe over there.

Regards,

Myers

Don, I was stationed at RM AB from 62 to 66. Remember there was an overhead sign at the front gate that read, " Rhein Main AB, Gateway to Europe". Went through this gate many many times as it was the best route to Freddies. The sign was there when I arrived and was there when I rotated. Don't remember any major work/modification being accomplished on the gate during my tour.

Hopefully Laurent can provide additional clarification.

Struts, accumulators and tires. It is used (no moisture) instead of compressed air to keep down corrosion. Bill

So, does C-130 tech data mandate use of nitrogen in lieu of compressed air?

I copied this from the latest Amrtican Legion Magazine. Interesting to note that there are no C-130's or C-17's of the 9 aircraft listed, yet the 1960's era B-52 is on the list.

Don R.

Whomever compiled this chart missed the boat in providing meaningful data concerning air force aircraft mission capable rates. Most of the CA coded aircraft carrying the load are missing.

Why would one include the two aircraft VC-137A fleet. Comparing 137 mission capable rates with any other flying unit is apples and oranges.

The C-37A is a very low number (around ten) commercial VIP transport that I'm guessing are maintained by contractor. If a C-37 is non-mission capable what are the consequences? A flag officer doesn't get to a conference.

A meaningful chart would include MC rates for the A-10, F-15, F-16, C-5, C-17 and C-130 aircraft.

The B-2 MC rate is the one that got my attention. On any one day the wing can field less than ten aircraft. Am guessing a major contributor to the abysmal rate is maintenance of the stealth coating.

In the 72-75 time frame the TAC C-130E fleet rate varied between 70 and 75%. The rate was, for the most part, driven by fuel leaks and engine maintenance.

Maintenance man hours per flying hour varied between about 22 and 25.

Laurent,

I did a rotation to Evreux back in the early 1960's as a 1-striper with the B-models from Langley AFB, Virginia. There was a bar not far from the base called The Viking. I wonder, is it still there?

Don R.

I remember that place. But I'm really pissed as it took 52 years to find out what it really was. Hmmm, wonder how Frank knew. lol

That was not a bar it was a whorehouse.

Frank, Don't beat around the bush, tell it like it is/was. :D

Read where the 213th and last C-17A has been delivered to the USAF. Boeing has about 20 remaining aircraft to be built for other customers.

Anyone remember how many 141s where in service at max count?

Good job james. Should bring a smile to LAURENT. Is this photo in the gallery?

I was in the 36th 1966 to 1968 at which time transferred to the 37th. So it seems we were in the same sqd. together. It's likely at some point you worked on my aircraft, 62-1838. I thought both squadrons were great organizations.

I was also assigned to the 7406th 1962 to mid 1966. Was the crew chief on 56-534 most of my tour. Spent much much time at Incerlik. Nevertheless a good tour and a good outfit. Great group of guys, tight knit.

Great avatar.

LAURENT, I can't speak for the 317 TAW C-130As stationed at Evreux but I recall sometime between 1963 and 1965 our C-130A II aircraft began returning from depot overhaul with everything painted gray that had previously been red. Most noticeably the vertical fin. I may be mixing apples and oranges here as the A IIs were maintained via a separate logistics system from the airlift As.

In the gallery there are many A photos. Many of them with the 322 AD painted on the mlg door or the wing tank. Considering how long ago the color change occurred the number of red tail photos may be small.

There is at least one member here that was assigned the 317th both at Evreux AB and Lockbourne AFB. Hopefully he can provide more detailed info. As I recall he has a hell of a good memory, unlike some of us.

The photo in your gallery from behind the acft. with the grazing sheep brought a smile to my face. Much simpler times.

Read in the local rag this morning the US Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring 14 ex USAF C-27Js.

I believe someone posted earlier they thought this might be happening.

Interesting read. I guess you could say air force bands are just another cog in the wheel.

Like Casey, I'm not usually interested in things like that, but it was one of the most enjoyable 6 1/2 minutes I've spent in a long time.

Just curious though. Is that a full time AFSC? That SMSgt's only job in the USAF is to play a harp? No sarcasm intended, but we have airmen doing some extremely hazardous jobs in places like Afghanistan and here's a SMSgt playing a harp at a museum for the same pay. I'll probably take some hits for this post, but, as I said, it's not sarcasm -- just curiosity.

Don R.

Don, No hits from me. My view was if the afsc doesn't directly generate sorties, what good is it? Case in point, the Sgt. in the Social Actions office.

Yes, I'm afraid it's a full time job with a musicians afsc. In fact, many of the members have degrees in music. Playing in the band is their full time profession. Just like the rest of the air force they're kept very busy and spend a lot of time tdy. And just the like the rest of the air force they are very good. They are asked to preform by numerous organizations both military and civilian.

In my air force career never met a band member until well after I'd retired. And then only when a small group preformed in the town where I live. Having worked at WP AFB attended several functions at which the band performed. Very impressive.

Air force bands are much smaller these days as heavy manpower reductions have taken their toll. At the last reduction the AFMC band took about a 45 manpower cut that reduced it's size to less than 100.

On an unrelated note Bob, the University of Dayton was just awarded a $345,000 on top of a shared $24 million A-10 ASIP/modernization contract. This will allow the aircraft to fly through 2028 and beyond. Surprising development for a bird the air force never wanted from the beginning. I hope this one goes better than AMP/tanker replacement/CSAR acft. replacement.

So did Tia'chung, or so I heard!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea Giz, I heard that too, but like you, have no first hand confirmation.

Oh, but there are a few alternatives we can discuss!

George, I hope you're not suggesting a visit to the Flt. Surgeon's office.

I didn't find this out until many years after my C-130 days but a PCOD check by the FS generated a piece of paperwork that was returned to your home base medical facility. At one point in my career my wife worked in the FS's office and was responsible for processing this paperwork. So she was well aware when the troops returned from deployment who was complying with the PCOD check and who was not.

Pretty scary stuff. lol

Oh yea. Remember it well. Must have weighted six/seven pounds.

Bill, I'm amazed you were able to find the photo. As I recall the TCTO that incorporated the pip pin downlock was accomplished about the mid 60s. Good job.

Anyone remember the big wedge-shaped NLG downlock? As a one-striper on my first TDY by myself, I really got my butt chewed out by the FE, Msgt Marchman over it.

Don R.

Remember it well. I can't id. subject pin but if it had been the big wedge-shaped downlock would have no problem iding it.