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First active-duty ISO inspection occurs on Ramstein's first C-130J

By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas , 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published June 02, 2010

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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The first isochronal inspection on Ramstein's earliest C-130J Super Hercules aircraft kicked off here May 26.

A team of about 60 active-duty Airmen from different specialty codes, all familiar with the J-model examined tail number 8601, during the 10-day inspection.

An ISO inspection, much like a tune-up for the aircraft, is performed every 420 days. During these inspections, aircraft maintainers look for and repair problems in every system, from nose to tail and wingtip to wingtip.

"Conducting the ISO inspections allows us to look at items we don't normally get to look at," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Melendez, 86th Maintenance Squadron section chief. "For 10 days, we take an in-depth look into the aircraft which in turn improves the overall health of the aircraft fleet."

Although the inspections have been around for some time, the 86th MXS brought something new to the environment -- being the first squadron in the Air Force to have only active-duty servicemembers who conducted the inspections.

"We are excited to bring our active-duty members together to work on the new aircraft," said Senior Master Sgt. Karl Campbell, 86th MXS flight chief.

The squadron accomplished another first for Ramstein and U.S. Air Forces in Europe -- conducting the first ISO inspection on the first permanent J-model located in USAFE.

"We are proud to be a part of this; it is our bread and butter," Sergeant Melendez said. "The Air Force hired us to do this, so we take in our work and give 100 percent."

A great aircraft is only as good as the crew who works on it.

"We have great Airmen and NCOs who have worked hard to get to this point," Sergeant Campbell said. "I know everyone is excited to be the first all active-duty team working on the J model here."

The aircraft was the first of 14 recently-added J models to receive the ISO inspection. The rest of the fleet will be inspected about one every month in the order they were received.