News

Dover: A hub for C-5 engine training

  • Published
  • By SrA Christopher Quail
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The sounds of cranking bolts and clanking ratchets filled the air at Detachment 3 during a C-5M Super Galaxy engine-changing course, here.

Airmen from the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 725th Air Mobility Squadron attended the class, which was hosted by the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 3 – the hub for where Airmen come to train on its engine.

The course took a hands-on approach to training, which allowed Airmen to learn component removal, cradle and trailer hook up, weight consistencies, equipment identification, proper trailer movement, as well as safety steps.

“The C-5 transports cargo and personnel and helps ensure that our troops are always taken care of and receive what they need,” said Staff. Sgt. Robert Money, 373rd Training Squadron jet engine instructor, Detachment 3. “This course helps ensure that our Air Mobility Command’s four core mission areas are met by making sure that the C-5’s stay healthy and keeps our aircraft from sitting on the ground for too long.”

Each Airman also had the opportunity to work in different positions, such as acting supervisor and as the one who helps to raise and lower the engine.

The C-5M is the largest aircraft in the Air Force and an upgraded version of the C-5 Galaxy with new engines designed to extend its service life beyond 2040.

“Even though the engines are newer, there is going to come a time that we will have to change the engines,” said Staff Sgt. Adrian Diaz Jr., 725th AMS aerospace propulsion craftsman. “If we wait until the last minute to start training people up on how to change them, then we will just be behind the curb.”

He also said it is important to gain this knowledge early, so that when the time comes, Airmen will feel comfortable and ready to perform the engine change.

At the end of the course, the Airmen took all the knowledge they obtained and performed an engine drop.

After they removed the bolts, which is the first step in the process, the Airmen had to ensure the engine was balanced from the front, back and from each side as they lowered it.

To accomplish this, each Airman had to communicate effectively as a team while simultaneously cranking and checking scales attached to the engine.

“It’s nice to have guys come here and build that relationship with each other,” said Money. “Our goal is building the Air Force as a whole so that each base will have personnel with the information and training they need to continue to prevail.”