SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. — A KC-135 Stratotanker, docked at the 916th Air Refueling Wing fuel shop to begin the last isochronal inspection of a KC-135 for the 916 ARW on Aug. 14 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
What usually consists of a 30 day process of identifying and fixing or replacing defective, broken or corroded components from wear and tear turned into a 56 day process after delays from Hurricane Dorian began on Sept. 4.
“The ISO (isochronal) aircraft was placed on the flightline as a precaution to protect it from possible damage,” said Senior Master Sgt. Karl Rehkamp, 916th Maintenance Squadron maintenance flight chief. “The hangar it was in leaves the empennage exposed to high winds which could cause more damage because of the close tolerance to the hangar doors.”
Nevertheless the maintenance members were able to successfully close out the 916 ARW’s last inspection of a KC-135 on Oct. 17.
“I am looking forward to doing something that most people spend their entire career not having had the chance to do,” said Staff Sgt. Paul M. Anaruma, 916 MXS isochronal dock inspector. “That being, helping to set up a new aircraft and being a part of the transition process.”
Although it’s been a long time for the 916 ARW, transitioning to the KC-46 Pegasus is not the first aircraft transition this wing has completed. In 1995 the 77th Air Refueling Squadron transitioned from flying the KC-10 Extender to the KC-135.
“I am looking forward to learning something new,” said Master Sgt. Tyrone Faison Jr., 916 MXS isochronal dock coordinator. “Becoming an ISO dock coordinator for the KC-135 has taught me how to manage people, how to manage the process and make the process better overall.”
As the next generation of aerial refueling technology the KC-46 will give the members of the 916 ARW the opportunity to learn something new. It will also afford them the ability to impart their 24 years of knowledge from the KC-135 to the KC-46 in new and innovative ways.