Airmen from the 103rd Airlift Wing of the U.S. Air Force’s Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut recently began work inside the base’s new fuel cell and corrosion control facility.
The 29,600 ft2 (2,750 m2) facility, built by Cutter Enterprises, LLC in Vernon, Connecticut, allows Airmen to accomplish aircraft maintenance tasks including washing, painting parts, and controlling corrosion in a closed environment.
The site officially opened for business on July 26, 2017, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Master Sgt. Johnathan Shepard, fuel systems shop chief for the 103rd Maintenance Squadron, says even the simplest of features in the fuel cell—such as drop lights and a replacement generator—make the job safer and more efficient. “If someone were to be in the tank and the power failed, we now have back-up power to continue an air purge, which would allow the person to exit the tank safely,” Shepard says.
The fuel cell also has a fuel-foam storage unit, which eliminates the hazard of storing foam from the tanks in the base hangar.
“Having this room that’s positively ventilated, allows them to store them somewhere bonded and grounded for long-term storage,” Shepard says. “This whole facility makes our job much easier, much safer, and cuts down on the time of completion for our jobs, so the aircraft can return to work and we can complete the mission faster.”
According to Shepard, other Air Force bases around the United States have already called the new Bradley facility in hopes of getting their aircraft to the shop.
Source: U.S. Defense Video Imagery Distribution System, www.dvidshub.net.