Military AI Works

From AF Daily Report 10 Mar 09
*Interesting choice of words

Inspections Spread to All C-130s: The Air Force has expanded its inspection of C-130 upper-wing joint nuts to include all variants of the aircraft, meaning new J model are now being looked at in addition to older C-130 configurations, a service spokesman confirmed yesterday. Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis told the Daily Report yesterday that nearly 600 C-130s across the fleet will now undergo the examination to determine how many of them have cracked nuts like those first discovered on an older model C-130 undergoing depot maintenance at Robins AFB, Ga. This discovery prompted a time compliance technical order calling for the inspection initially of older model C-130s, but now includes all models across the active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command. Sholtis said, as of March 6, only about one quarter of the fleet had been examined. He characterized the TCTO as "one level below grounding" since C-130s are still allowed to fly if in support of high-priority, time-sensitive missions, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. (For more, read yesterday's Montgomery Advertiser report.)

I've met a few "cracked nuts" in my lifetime.....

I've lived with one!

From AF Daily Report 11 Mar 09
C-130 Update: As of Monday, the Air Force had completed inspections on 84 percent of its nearly 600 C-130 transports to check on the condition of their upper-wing joint nuts, an Air Force Materiel Command spokesman told the Daily Report yesterday. Of those aircraft already inspected, about 43 percent have returned to duty, this official said. The Air Force began these inspections last week after cracks were found in the joint nuts of an older model C-130 in depot at Robins AFB, Ga. Originally only E and H model C-130s were affected by the time compliance technical order calling for the inspections, but later the Air Force extended it to the entire C-130 fleet, including its new C-130Js. New nuts are being installed as deemed necessary, the official said. Aircraft in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are at the top of the list to inspect and fix.

From AF Daily Report 24 Mar 09

Herks Ready for Work, Mostly: Officials at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia say all the C-130 Hercules transports—save one being converted as a ground trainer—have been inspected for cracked wing-joint barrel nuts. Overall the Air Force has returned to flight about two-thirds of its fleet of some 597 C-130s of various configurations, but it put those serving in Southwest Asia at the head of the line for replacement nuts ensuring that all SWA-engaged Herks are now flying. Other C-130s needing replacements are awaiting manufacture of new barrel nuts, but Terrence May, director of ALC's 330th Aircraft Sustainment Group, said he expects the shipment of parts on April 8. May noted, "Normally in a situation like this it's harder to get new parts in the pipeline," but the quick response meant "outstanding support from the supply system." The Warner Robins depot identified the potential problem on March 1 as workers took a C-130 through routine depot maintenance. (Robins AFB, Ga. report by Wayne Crenshaw)