Camp Pen 5
Raul Ramirez, left, and Paul Breniser, both Code 6.1.6.6.0.1, display the new beam. Photo by Russell Moore

Field Service Team saves Marines $$$$$
By Bill Bartkus

Call it a “first” for the Field Service Branch In-Service Repair Team, Code 6.1.5.2, at Camp Pendleton.

Recently, Helicopter Marine Light Attack Squadron 267, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., reported that a center lift beam on an AH-1W Cobra had failed a non-destructive inspection (NDI), and the Marines asked Russell Moore, Code 6.1.5.3.1, the oversite planner estimator at Camp Pendleton, to evaluate the damage.

Russell determined that the beam would have to be replaced. The upper lugs that secured the stubwing were cracked and could not be repaired. To the best of Moore’s knowledge, this job had never been done by Naval Air Depot North Island’s Field Service Team (FST) at the Marine Base.

“The ISR team decided to take on the task of replacing the beam rather than sending the aircraft in for Standard Depot Level Maintenance (SDLM),” said Moore. “The turnaround time would have taken approximately three to five months.”

Moore contacted Jeff Markin, Code 4.3.3.2, the cognizant field activity (CFA) liaison engineer and together they formed a team. The team included Raul Ramirez and Paul Breniser, both Code 6.1.6.6.0.1, and both sheetmetal mechanics, and Bert Bettencourt, Code 6.1.5.2.0.6, a machinist.

“As a team, we formulated a plan of how the job would be accomplished,” said Moore. “After a month or so of compiling information, we started the job.” The project took the team 14 days to complete, and we saved the Marines a considerable amount of time and money.”

Moore stated that this was a learning curve for the team. “This was the first time we took on such a task,” he said. “I’m confident that we can cut the turnaround time from 14 days down to seven days if we’re asked to do this again.” Moore called the work “replacing a critical component structure item.”

In addition to Cobras, the Camp Pendleton FST also works on Hueys (UH-1N) and Phrogs (CH-46) for eight squadrons in six hangars.