AMXS Airmen ignite innovation with Chappi

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dawn Weber | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Chapman, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft weapons system specialist, runs diagnostics on the LAU-118 launcher at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 16, 2018. Using “the Chappi,” a custom-built wire harness, the 52nd AMXS is cutting man hours, but increasing combat capabilities in other functional AMXS areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber)  

SPANGDAHLEM, RP, GERMANY

02.22.2018

Story by Senior Airman Dawn Weber 

52nd Fighter Wing

Master Sgt. Gabrial Valenzuela, Staff Sgts. Delrico Harris and Nicholas Chapman, make up the team responsible for the creating an electrical converter custom-built wire harness to run diagnostics on the LAU-118, a guided missile launcher, which provides mechanical and electrical interface between the aircraft and missiles.

“Using the new setup, what we refer to as ‘the Chappi,’ in place of the aircraft to supply power to the LAU-118 launcher,” said Valenzuela, 52nd AMXS weapons section chief. “Before the utilization of ‘the Chappi,’ the process involved coordinating with outside agencies to secure support equipment, now using the electrical converter wire harness, zero logistical support is required from outside agencies.”

“The Chappi” was named for Chapman, 52nd AMXS aircraft weapons systems specialist for his part in creating the wire harness.

According to Chapman, with the setup of “the Chappi,” not only has the 52nd AMXS cut out other base agencies and unnecessary equipment such as tools, aircraft and manning, but they were able to cut the processing time from three hours down to one hour, per unit. This allows manning to be focused on other areas around the AMXS, increasing combat capabilities for other sections.

Using this custom-built wire harness, the 52nd AMXS is reducing man hours, but more importantly increasing combat capabilities in other functional areas, said Harris, 52nd AMXS weapons load crew chief.

“To the Air Force it would mean increasing training and combat capabilities for all F-16 C/D aircraft, Block 40/50 units flying the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses missions and saving on overall maintenance man-hours,” Delrico said.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2018
• Date Posted: 02.28.2018 06:39
• Story ID: 267456
• Location: SPANGDAHLEM, RP, DE