Travis ISO dock transitions into new era

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Wendy Weidenhamer
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - --  Recently the inspection team in the Travis Air Force Base C-5 Isochronal Inspection hangar backed out a C-5 Galaxy for the last time, making room for the KC-10 and the new kid on the block, the C-17 Globemaster III. 
With a leaner Air Force in view, the C-5 ISO Inspection functions at Travis AFB have transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Del., which will be one of three regionalized isochronal inspections docks for the C-5s. The remaining two locations will be Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., and West Virginia Air National Guard Base, W. Va.
A major force in making this transition happen has been inspection sections members from the 349th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 349th Component Repair Squadron and 349th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, all Air Force reserve squadrons. The active duty members in the section have been short handed due to the "high ops tempo" so the reserve members have stepped in to insure success in the transition.
Behind the scenes in a transition like this is a myriad of details involving the hangar and inspection personnel. For the hangar there were modifications required by the new aircraft such as power requirements and acquire and place special equipment. Safety requirements such as markings for towing needed to be re-done and huge inspection stands re-positioned. Also, at the same time it was necessary to make arrangements to transport C-5 ISO dock equipment to squadrons that still have C-5s.
"It's gone very well," said Master Sgt. Howard Cox, Inspection Section Chief for the 349th EMS, who participated in the planning and implementation of the ISO transition. "We've had a very good preplanning phase so transition wise we're on speed. Our target was 1 July to be fully integrated out of the C-5 and into the KC-10 and C-17 business."
Success of the transition can also be attributed to a repair process initiated by the Travis ISO dock that included having a member of the 349th Logistics Readiness Flight permanently assigned to the inspection section to handle supply distribution. And for two and half years that person has been Master Sgt. Faith Hickok, Inventory Management Specialist.
"The repair process starts with her," said Sergeant Cox. "We just couldn't do what we do without her; she has been a major cog in the machine ensuring the transition went smoothly."
In addition to closing down shop for the C-5 ISO at Travis and preparing for the C-17 and KC-10 ISOs, the inspection section has taken part in getting Dover AFB up to speed.
"Dover is ramping up their regionalized ISO Inspection program and of course we're giving them everything we have here to help them be successful there," said Sergeant Cox. "We've sent several folks there to sit in on conferences and get involved with the regionalized ISO for training and to share our best practices with Dover."
As for what tomorrow holds for the C-5 ISO dock and its crew, the hangar will be converted to a scheduled maintenance hangar for the C-17 and KC-10 aircraft, and there will be no personnel loss. Everyone who worked in the inspection section should make a straight transition to the new aircraft, said Sergeant Cox.
Training is a big part of the transition for the inspection team. Forty people will need to be scheduled for training at the field training detachment, but the process could take some time due to limited availability of classes.
"It will change from a one-shift operation to a two-shift operation said," said Sergeant Cox. "These folks are going over to work on the C-17 and KC-10 so they need the schooling initially. We're scheduling a year out for that right now."
Life in the inspection section will change a little too.
"We will fully integrate our training records, master training plan and our safety plans," said Sergeant Cox. "There will no longer be a 349th and 60th -they will be one. Previously 349th had their programs and 60th had their programs, which operated off of the same guidance and regulations."
This new way of completing ISO inspections will be evaluated by the Air Force and if it is a success, the AF may designate regionalize ISO docks for other aircraft in the inventory.  (Note: Some information from this story was taken from the Air Force Reserve website)