Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus Airmen learn to repair aircraft de-icer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  To keep airframes in the sky during winter months, they must be de-iced. In order to be de-iced, the Global De-Icer vehicles need to be in working order. Vehicle mechanics from the 97th Logistic Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight received Global De-Icer training to ensure the de-icers continue operating smoothly.

The training provided an opportunity for the maintainers to get more familiar with a de-icer so they can service and repair the vehicle when needed.

"We put as many folks in as possible when classes are local, but most of our classes are at Port Hueneme, Calif., so when we get the privilege of hosting a class here, we can get a lot more mechanics into it as opposed to sending one to Port Hueneme," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jessica Archambault, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander.

The 97th is responsible for maintaining 386 vehicles at Altus Air Force Base, including seven Global De-Icers.

The training served as a crash course on the vehicles, and included an overview of the vehicle and basic operations, detailed training on boom operations, and information on the de-icing system, fluid flow, safety features and the heating system for the vehicle.

"Every mechanic takes this course, and everyone in the class received a detailed perspective on the vehicle. Before the class, if someone brought in a de-icer for me to fix, I would have been out there for a while trying to figure it out," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Darin Spiry, a special vehicle maintainer with the 97th. "Now, having done the training, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with it. No problem. I can get it done."

Senior Airman Scott Middlebrooks said that he has had different advanced training every year, and recognizes the importance of each mechanic receiving this training.

"You never know when one of the de-icers will malfunction, and who is going to be there when it happens, so it's good for everybody to have at least a basic knowledge of how the vehicle works and how to fix it when it breaks," said Middlebrooks, who has been a vehicle maintainer for roughly three years.

The group was also given hands-on experience in fixing common malfunctions.

During the practical application, the instructor simulated breaking the vehicle and the students identified and fixed the problems presented to them.

"While we were in the class, a different de-icer came in with an electrical problem," said Spiry. "We stopped working on the training and focused on the real world issue. We all troubleshot the truck, found the problem together and went back to the training. It was a great experience."

The de-icer is the only vehicle on Altus AFB that has the capabilities required to de-ice the planes.

"Some of our vehicles are, at times, more important than others depending on what the mission dictates, and we do our best to prioritize and serve our customers," said Archambault.

In order to reach important parts of the plane, such as the wings or the tail, the truck comes with a maneuverable arm with a cab affixed to the end.

The Global De-Icer holds 1,800 gallons of solution to de-ice aircraft, and can expel the mixture at 60 gallons per minute, which is enough to ensure that even the largest plane at Altus gets adequate coverage.

"One of the most common problems that affects the vehicle is heater malfunctions," said Middlebrooks. "The Federal Aviation Administration requires the de-icing solution to meet a specific temperature before you can de-ice the plane, and sometimes it does not work. The issue could be as simple as it needs to be cleaned."

De-icing the plane is a preventative measure taken to ensure that all parts of the aircraft function properly, not impeded by or immobilized by the ice that forms due to weather, or the colder temperatures of higher altitudes.

If a plane is not de-iced, it could affect its ability to take off or even cause the plane to crash.

"Receiving this training has been reassuring to me. It lets me and everyone else know that we're not going out to work on vehicles we know nothing about," said Spiry. "We have the information we need on the vehicles, and we'll get the job done."

Archambault also expressed confidence in her Airmen's abilities.

"They're hard-working. This job is physically and mentally demanding, and they still keep a positive attitude, keep on working and keep trying to get the customers what they need as quickly as possible," she said. "I think Altus is very lucky to have such a fine group of folks to get these vehicles out."