By CWO4 Steve Beintema and Mr. Paul Reiff

The mission assigned seemed simple enough…at least that is what the personnel of the 305th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) based at McGuire Air Force base thought. Move a retired aircraft with close ties to the base approximately 2 miles to a display stand near the Base Commissary and Exchange. Simple, right? Not when the aircraft in question is a 145’ long, 160 ft wide C-141B weighing 160,000 lbs. Unfortunately, one obstacle that could not be overcome by trimming trees and moving fence poles was the last and most critical leg of the aircraft’s journey. The final 700ft required movement up inclines, across moist grassy earth, and across an existing traffic circle. How could they move the last 700ft without getting the aircraft or its 150,000 lb tow tractor stuck?

The answer was simple…call in the Marines! More specifically, call in the Marine Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) Engineering Team residing at NAES Lakehurst. The EAF team specializes in expeditionary airfield design. Utilizing existing Marine EAF equipment the team can design a simple landing pad for a small helicopter, up to an entire airfield including runway, taxiways, lighting and marking, and arresting gear. Always up for a challenge, and in the spirit of the unification of base support efforts, the team rose to the task.

During several planning meetings and site surveys, a plan slowly emerged. The base would provide fill material on the traffic circle to help provide a smooth transition over the concrete curbs. They would also temporarily move fences, trees, and one F-4 Phantom currently on display in order to provide a clear path. For their part, the Lakehurst team would provide equipment necessary to create a stable path over the grassy areas, as well as the smooth transition over the traffic circle curbs. This would be accomplished using 2’ X 12’ interlocking sheets of aluminum matting called AM-2, and a lightweight nylon-weave matting produced by a French company called Deschamps. The lightweight matting comes in 14’ X 33’ rolls.

The move was scheduled, notifications were made, and all equipment was delivered by 22 March 2006. The Lakehurst EAF Team arrived to offer technical assistance, and the members of the 305th CES wasted no time getting to work. In 1 ½ days they laid down 1,170 sheets of AM-2 matting weighing 155 lbs each. They also rolled out 100 rolls of lightweight mat weighing 185 lbs each. Approximately 400 three foot stakes were required to anchor the lightweight matting to the ground. Driving them each using sledgehammers was proving to be impractical. The Lakehurst team came through again, providing gas-powered “Thermic Jackhammers” that drove each stake in a matter of seconds.

Dawn broke on the morning of March 25th with rain in the forecast. In an effort to beat the rain, the move was to begin at 0630. 2 ½ hours later the move was complete. The AM-2 and lightweight matting were picked back up, and within a week or so all evidence of the massive effort was gone….except for the huge C-141B that now greets all who come through the gate, a testament to the teamwork and partnership between NAES Lakehurst and McGuire AFB.

CAPTION: C-141 being relocated to a static display on McGuire AFB with the help of the Lakehurst Marine Expeditionary Airfield Engineering Team.