Aces North
Maintaining a high standard

By Andrew Stackpool

LAC Anthony Walker burns the midnight oil.

Photo by Andrew Stackpool

A LONG night working on vital electrical components has been among the challenges facing Leading Aircraftman Anthony “Clint” Walker during Exercise Aces North.

An aircraft technician with No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, LAC Walker is one of the B-shift maintainers deployed to RAAF Base Tindal.

“A pilot reported a problem on landing earlier today,” he told Air Force News on June 2.

“We replaced a component and it tested OK, but he reported a recurrence. A-shift started work on the problem about 2.30pm but they went off at 3.30pm. So, we took it over and now I’m tracing back through the entire system.

“This bird is scheduled to fly at 9am and I’ll probably be here until 5am tracing the system to ensure it’s 100 per cent.”

Even when flying is mainly confined to the day, for the techos it’s a round-the-clock operation.

Warrant Officer Paul Blyth, of No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit and the OIC B-shift, said most of the workload fell on the B-shift.

“There are longer periods of non-flying and it is cooler in the evening,” he said. “Also, as well as any defects, scheduled maintenance has to continue. So anything carried forward has to be continued as well.”

On top of that are the routine pre- and post-flight inspections, which take about 30 to 40 minutes after which the Hornets are refuelled and stood down.

“Here [at Tindal] and elsewhere when we deploy it is different from Williamtown,” WOFF Blyth said.

“We disperse whenever we deploy, while at Williamtown we aren’t. Consequently, this adds some delay to the procedures as the relevant information is faxed down from the OLAs. We deploy with our Fly Away Kits and resupply from Williamtown. If we are pushed or there are problems we’ll approach Tindal. However, as far as possible we aim to be autonomous.”

During the exercise, A-shift starts each day at 7.30am and works until 4.30pm, while Bshift starts at 3.30pm, with an hour’s handover, and continues until 12.30am, “or as long as it takes,” said Corporal Kev Ryan. The shifts rotate every fortnight.

CPL Ryan said the work and environment was challenging and enjoyable.

“We have great accommodation by the flightline –far better than living in tents – and the meals they have been giving us are good. We also get a meal around midnight,” he said.

“The work is hard and can be long, but it’s worth it. “There are thousands of components in the Hornets and the techos have a lot riding on their work; a mistake or missed problem could bring disaster. Our people are as enthusiastic about the aircraft as the pilots.”

Links to more Aces North Coverage

A show of aces
Team's shining example
Secure lead-up to Exercise Pitch Black
Fine spirit of cooperation

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