Splish splash: Herc gets a 12-man scrub

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scott Saldukas
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Even if it won't end up scheduled between "septic tank maintainer" and "hog farmer" on Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe's Discovery Channel TV series, one Air Force job has plenty of filth to go around. 

Two 12-member shifts, made up of Airmen from the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, washed a C-130E Hercules Oct. 28, in Ramstein's Hangar 1, to keep the aircraft mission ready. 

"When an aircraft requires a routine wash, it is performed by the AMXS," said Master Sgt. Darren Veneman, 86th MXS production supervisor. "AMXS wash teams are comprised of individuals based on mission availability at the time of the wash." 

On Ramstein, there are 17 C-130s that require a wash in 90-day cycles, as well as before their yearly isochronical inspection. 

"It is important to wash the airplane because it helps the isochronical inspection process identify defects more closely," said Staff Sgt. Zach Noll, 86th MXS crew chief. "It also ensures the safety of the aircraft by making it more aerodynamic and reducing weight." 

Maintaining a wash cycle is a complicated business, requiring a great deal of coordination to sustain flying schedules -- and sometimes calling for augmentees from other flights to fill out the 12-person wash teams. No matter where they've come from, the teams take pride in their work on the 40-year-old airframes. 

"It's not fun, but it is necessary," said Staff Sgt. Alex Levy, 86th MXS aerospace maintenance technician. "Technically, we don't wash the aircraft to make it look pretty; we are doing it for corrosion prevention." 

The C-130E primarily performs the tactical portion of an airlift mission. It is capable of operating from rough dirt strips and is the prime transportation for dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.