48th CMS helps Polish Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Donnelly
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  48th Component Maintenance Squadron Airmen recently returned from a 3½ month temporary duty assignment in June to Krzensiny Air Base, Poland to help Polish Airmen develop new shop procedures for the propulsion shop.

The 48th CMS Airmen assisted the Polish Airmen in setting up the propulsion shop last year.

Poland purchased F-16s from the U.S. government, but did not have a jet engine intermediate maintenance shop to accomplish the maintenance required, explained Tech. Sgt. Charles W. Hoyt, 48th CMS jet engine intermediate maintenance assistant section chief.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Brian D. Reel, propulsion flight superintendent, the Polish Airmen did not have the need for a propulsion shop while working with their previous jet, so the 48th CMS Airmen went to provide assistance with set-up, the first engine build and are slated for a trip to help test the engines.

"They went to additional training at the engine manufacturer and had a general idea of what to do before we came," said Sergeant Reel. "We were there as the experts to help them through any problems they may have."

One of the problems Polish Airmen ran into was not having the proper manuals for maintaining their new engines.

"Their regulation is not adapted to F-16 style maintenance," said Sergeant Hoyt. "We helped them write their shop procedures and helped them make a self inspection checklist and criteria."

Sergeants Hoyt and Reel said they are periodically keeping in touch with Airmen from Poland to help translate the regulations and keep updated with progress of the engine shop.

"We completed all of our objectives during the TDY with the exception of a few questions about shop procedures, which I will stay in contact with them to answer," said Sergeant Hoyt. "This TDY helped to build a rapport with the Polish Air Force and provided them some information to get started in the right direction."

48th CMS Airmen are scheduled to make another trip to Poland later this year.

"It was a wonderful time," said Sergeant Reel about the experience, "They were great people to work with and very eager to learn."