Photo By Master Sgt. Andy Kin | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group (AEG), walk down the airfield picking up debris during a foreign object damage (FOD) walk on May 24, 2017. FOD walks are routinely scheduled to clear the flightline of any debris that would cause damage to any aircraft and deny flying operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Andy M. Kin) see less
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“FOD prevention keeps jets flying,” said Tech Sgt. Joshua Brooks, 407th AEG flight safety NCO. “Not only does it cost millions in damage and maintenance hours but it takes airpower out of the fight.”
FOD is any debris that can cause damage to an aircraft. Most common objects that cause harm are small rocks, chunks of cement, nuts, bolts, or screws.
“We had an abundance of volunteers and everyone was completely engaged in what they were doing,” said Tech Sgt. Mark A. Sullivan, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Group FOD monitor. “The team effort was incredible, we cleaned up a ton of FOD and I mean that literally.”
The group collected approximately 2,350 lbs. of debris and cleared more than 69 million square feet.