Wash-rack keeps F-16s clean

Photo By Staff Sgt. Krystal England | Airmen 1st Class Matthew Andrade, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief and a native of Vacaville, Calif., stands on the wing of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to wash it clean at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 31, 2012. Built up debris on the aircraft may cause corrosion which, if gone unchecked, could create holes and cracks in the aircraft. Washing an F-16 takes about three hours and is done twice a year.  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES

08.07.2012

Story by Airman 1st Class Krystal England 

20th Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - Airmen from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Gambler Aircraft Maintenance Unit, were busy washing an F-16 Fighting Falcon to remove built-up debris here, July 31.

Debris that collect on aircraft includes exhaust from the engines, exhaust from firing the aircraft's weapons and environmental debris like insects.

"You want to keep the aircraft looking clean not only for pride but also to prevent corrosion from long time exposure to the environment," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Wells, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron wash rack manager. "If you don't clean your aircraft on a regular scheduled basis then debris become corrosive to the aircraft."

F-16s are washed clean of the dirt and grime every 180 days at the base's wash rack to prevent damage the aircraft.

"If you don't clean the corrosives off of the aircraft, the corrosion starts attacking the metal substructure and the aluminum frame." The native of Lawrenceville, Ga., said. "Once that start happening it weakens the aircraft and possible catastrophes could occur. In a worst case scenario a wing could come off."

Panels can break off of aircrafts due to corrosion and wheels can crack which could lead to landing failures.

"If you don't clean the landing gear of foreign debris and it corrodes then the strength of the landing gear could be jeopardized. So, when the aircraft comes down to land, it could collapse," Wells said.

"The landing gear has to work every single time," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Padgett, Gamblers AMU dedicated crew chief and native of Aiken, S.C. "It is not optional. It is necessary to keep the landing gear in good shape, clean and lubricated."

It takes more than three hours to completely wash a F-16. Sensitive equipment is taped up along with any openings into the aircraft. Every part of the aircraft is washed from the wings to the smallest parts in the landing gear. Afterwards, all the tape is removed and the paint is checked for damage.

"It is hard work," Padgett said. "These jets are very heard to clean because the grease, oil hydraulic fluids and debris that build up over a 180 days is difficult to get off the paint. The landing gear is also hard to clean because there are so many nooks and crannies."

It is a very tedious job. It is not easy to wash a jet but it is necessary," he added.

• Date Taken: 08.07.2012
• Date Posted: 08.08.2012 11:18
• Story ID: 92858
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US
• Hometown: AIKEN, SC, US