Photo By Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy | U.S. Air Force Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members, 726th Expeditionary...... read more read more
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DJIBOUITI – Members of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group and the 726 Expeditionary Air Base Squadron completed the teardown of a temporary mobile radar unit, Nov. 21, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The disassembly of this unit wraps up the radar upgrade plan that started in 2014, and increases the effectiveness and reliability of Camp Lemonnier radar operations.
“…This [radar upgrade] is a huge step forward showing our partners in Africa that we are committed to an enduring presence here,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Raul Sauceda, 726 EABS ground radar systems.
The older TPN-19 system is intended to operate in a short-term capacity to provide a radar picture in support of air operations in a bare base environment within 72 hours of deployment. Operational strains accumulated due to the extended use of the temporary system and new obstructing physical structures, which impede signals.
“This radar has been very reliable, but it is very much in need of a depot level maintenance overhaul,” said Sauceda. “Moving to the new radar was a logical step toward an enduring presence.”
With the new GPN-27 Airport Surveillance Radar System officially installed and operational, it was time for the temporary TPN-19 system to be properly stored and shipped out for maintenance.
Sauceda’s team began packing up the TPN-19 radar on 17 November. The TPN-19 radar’s design allows the entire system to be disassembled and stowed away into the “shelter” it operates atop.
First, an extensive inventory accounts for every piece from the smallest nuts and bolts to brackets and panels. Then the parts are stripped from the radar and organized for final storage.
“Every item is packed inside the shelter and then the main radar antenna is lowered into the shelter,” Sauceda explained. “Everything we need to conduct business is capable of being placed inside of the shelter.”
The radar transition was approved in October. The four-man team assigned to the task disassembled, packed, and stored the system in under a week, even with the challenges presented to them. Corrosion was a time consuming factor due to the conditions seen by the weathered system.
“You've got 20 year old Airmen in charge of the tear down and pack up of a $4 million piece of Air Force equipment and not only do they succeed in completing their task, they did so in a fashion that aligns with all of our Air Force Core Values.” Said Sauceda. “This situation presented many challenges that required the Airmen to think outside of the box and adapt to an environment and condition of equipment they [were] not familiar with. The Airmen methodically came up with solutions that prevented damage to the equipment, all the while making sure that they did so safely.”
After preparing the older radar system for shipment, getting it completely contained in its entirety inside of the shelter, it is scheduled to be extracted from the radar compound and transported. Sauceda said the shelter will be sent back to Ramstein, but the radar will be sent to Tobyhanna Army Depot to receive a 100 percent refurbishment.
This process will mark the end of the two-year project and partnership with the Navy to secure a more proficient, lasting radar system for the area of responsibility.
“The Airmen from the 53rd Air Traffic Control Squadron performed amazingly and I think this is a testament to the caliber of Airmen we have in our Air Force.” Said Sauceda.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2017 02:20 |
| Story ID: | 224115 |
| Location: | DJIBOUTI, DJ |
| Web Views: | 427 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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