Photo By Tech. Sgt. Lynette Rolen | Senior Airman Jeffrey Kirkham, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuels System...... read more read more
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Upon your return from a routine mission over the Pacific Ocean as a top-grade pilot, you realize your aircraft is in desperate need of a good rinse-down in order to prevent corrosion.
Members of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuels System Maintenance (WFSM) team ensure the aircraft rinse system, “birdbath,” is ready for use by Kadena’s aircraft.
The birdbath plays a vital role in keeping top performance of the aircraft. Without it, the elements present in the Pacific region would corrode the jets to a point of disuse.
“The birdbath is very important because the natural elements can affect the plane once it flies,” said Staff Sgt. Edward Adade, 18th CES WFSM technician. “This could increase the corrosion on the planes, which could cost the Air Force a lot of money. This system is the best method for corrosion control, because we’re just using regular water to rinse the planes.”
The process works like a water fountain. Approaching aircraft trigger a sensor, and the water rises for a certain amount of time.
“The aircraft drive on the pressure plate, once the pressure plate is triggered, it kicks on the pumps,” said Adade. “The pumps send water through the ballast tanks, and then it sprays the water to wash the plane off.”
Although the system is sensor-driven, WFSM team members often come out to the station powering the birdbath.
Senior Airman Jeffrey Kirkham, 18th CES WFSM journeyman, mentioned his fellow team members will check certain pumps for functionality and monitor the system for consistency.
The water used to rinse the aircraft is chemical-free and goes through a filtration system for the next use, fulfilling the dual purpose of saving money and the environment.
In addition to being rewarding for the Air Force and environment, this system is professionally rewarding for those who maintain it.
“This has been a really unique experience,” said Kirkham. “This is one of the largest WFSM shops in the Air Force; I’ve seen a lot during my time here. I’ve learned to adapt to a situation and overcome it because of the unique situation we have here in Okinawa.”
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2016 02:49 |
| Story ID: | 208095 |
| Location: | KADENA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 18th CES WFSM team ensures Kadena’s aircraft are mission-ready, by TSgt Lynette Rolen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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