Photo By Strategic Communications DLA | In October 2008, an aircraft inspector evaluated this wrecked Sikorsky HH-60H Seakhawk...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Defense Logistics Agency Aviation employees in Jacksonville, Fla., helped complete a two-year repair project that returned two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters to active service with Navy Reserve Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84, known as the "Red Wolves."
Two of the squadron's aircraft, designated RW-01 and RW-02, were damaged during night operations over Iraq in October 2008. According to Navy officials, one of the Seahawks clipped the tail pylon of the other stationary helicopter with its main rotor while taxiing, injuring Iraqi and U.S. personnel and causing more than $1 million in damage to each aircraft.
The Seahawks were airlifted from Balad, Iraq, to Navy Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in Jacksonville three months later.
The Navy's H-60 Strategic Business Team at FRCSE, which is responsible for repairing and maintaining the Seahawks, assessed the extensive damage and began repairs. The DLA Aviation employees colocated with the fleet readiness center worked closely with the team to provide needed parts.
"This was a major two-year effort that returned a very valuable asset back to the fleet," said David Ulrich, the H-60 SBT director. The first repaired aircraft was returned to the Red Wolves in July 2010 and the second in early January.
Ulrich said success was only possible "through the collaborative efforts and unsurpassed professionalism" of Navy and DLA Aviation employees.
"It was a challenge trying to forecast parts needed because many parts had been discontinued without replacement and were no longer available in the supply system," said George Fickett, a DLA Aviation equipment specialist in Jacksonville. "The [national stock numbers] that were on contract were not projected to be available for six to eight months."
Fickett and his co-workers participated in weekly production meetings and collaborated daily with the SBT. Working with Navy estimators/evaluators and production controllers, Fickett determine what material was needed and when it was required.
Fickett said that when material wasn't available through either DLA or the Navy's Stricken Aircraft Reclamation Disposition Program, DLA Aviation supply technicians researched part specifications and submitted material work orders to have parts made by the FRCSE Manufacturing Division.
"Decisions to make or buy parts [were] ongoing, keeping in mind that we had to do all this while controlling the cost and providing a safe aircraft to return back to the fleet for our No. 1 customer – the warfighters," he said.
DLA Aviation employees Shannon Navitsky and Robin McGraw, serving as both buyers and planners, worked with Fickett and DLA Aviation supply technicians Jun Kinjo and James Anderson to ensure parts were delivered to repair technicians.
Anderson attributes the success of the repairs to the dedication of all personnel involved.
"Enthusiasm and hard work can spell the difference between failing and accomplishment," Anderson said. "The RW-02 has now returned to the fleet to fulfill any mission requested when called upon."
Based in Norfolk, Va., the Red Wolves are the only squadron in the Navy dedicated to Naval Special Warfare support and strike rescue. The squadron operates eight HH-60H helicopters and can deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
The Seahawk is a twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift and special operations.
| Date Taken: | 01.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2011 10:40 |
| Story ID: | 64171 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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