AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR- -- It is no secret that the Air Force Central Command conducts a high- tempo flying operation at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. To complete these missions, they need healthy and ready aircraft at a moment’s notice.
The 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Nondestructive Inspection laboratory ensures all aircraft and anything metal deployed to Al Udeid are tested, analyzed and cleared for duty. If an aircrew member notices that their airframe is showing symptoms of gas or oil leakage, poor performance or signs of wear and tear, NDI airmen are there to help investigate. The lab is able to conduct several types of inspections depending on the aircraft or the specific part in question.
“There’s between five and nine inspections that NDI here does on a weekly basis or 90 days depending on what aircraft,” said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Djonorh, 379th EMXS. “We average between a couple hundred bolts, 10 to 20 wheels, and many other scheduled inspections that come up on the flightline.
With so many different airframes on one flightline, it is almost impossible to have knowledge on each one. Inside the NDI lab, it is evident that each airman brings his own experiences and shares them through daily operations. Deployments can be challenging and inspecting an aircraft that you’ve never worked on before in a new environment can lead to some valuable on the job training. The current NDI team has an eclectic mix of airmen that range from two through 15 years in service inspecting metal.
Djonorh mentioned that usually at a homestation base, you are assigned with one or two airframes, instead of you are only assigned to one or two jets interchangeably. While deployed to Al Udeid, a maintainer’s toolkit broadens with the vast knowledge in each section.
“Here, you have more people come through because of the constant rotations and you get to learn how people work on their own jets,” said Djonorh. “You get that great sense of comradery and networking to reach back in case you ever need help.”
Experience is good, but the technology used here is even better. The NDI lab uses equipment that almost seems unreal or movie-like, just to find the smallest discrepancy or fracture in pieces of metal no bigger than an a follicle. This allows them to understand, test and report the findings to make sure each aircraft on the flightline is safe and working properly.
“Right now any one of us can go out there and inspect any jet,” said Staff Sgt. William Johnson, 379th EMXS. “We make sure every aircraft is on schedule for its routine inspections depending on its flight hours.”
After certain milestones, NDI makes ‘house calls’ to the aircraft and inspect specific areas to ensure that the aircraft is ready to fly. This preventative maintenance process is just another checkpoint that keeps aircrews safe.
The majority of the KC-135 Stratotankers, C-130J Super Hercules and B-1 Bombers at al Udeid have been around longer than some of the airmen deployed here. Normal signs of wear, cracks or bends will be evident on these jets with the weather conditions in Qatar. It’s a good thing the NDI lab works day and night to keep them ready for war and in the fight; helping the Department of Defense and our airmen save on two vital resources – time and money.