ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait -- Just because something hasn't been a problem, doesn't mean that there isn't a better way to do it. At least, that’s Tech. Sgt. Rhett Remme’s motto, an aerospace repair craftsman of the 4th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, under the Joint Special Operations Air Component Central.
On a temperament day at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Remme, Senior Airman Zachary Legate, an aircraft structural maintenance journeyman and Senior Airman Ethan Romo, a metals technology journeyman are working on a mock-up aircraft storage crate for 105 millimeter shells. This would optimize the transport of the shells off the aircraft and to the ammunition squadron for disposal of the shells in a proper and safe manner.
“It's very exciting having the creative ability to come in and make something, test it and potentially see if we can push it up even higher. It could be a huge milestone for day-to-day maintainers,” said Remme.
Having this designated storage container for the AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft at all times would facilitate ease of transportation movement and aircrew abilities. The ability to store the shells neatly, safely and consistently increases the ability to account for 105 millimeter expenditures.
“Instead of having to hand count, aircrew will be able to do quick math to account for how many expenditures are in each box,” said Remme. “It's going to save time on the ground to assist the mission in the long run, by saving man hours between aircrew and maintenance.”
Romo, along with Senior Airman Christopher Womack, an aerospace maintenance journeyman, with the 4th ESOS, were two of the airmen that had the inception of the idea, after being approached by an aircrew member.
“[The aircrew member] mentioned how we used barrels in the past to secure these rounds, so I was wondering instead of ordering the barrels if we could actually make the box,” said Romo.
He sketched the measurements on paper, in a small notebook he pulled out of his pocket. From there, he said, they ordered the material.
“This is unique, kind of like a pioneer effort, for an effective storage system for the empty 105 millimeter shells,” said Remme. “I love the ability to get down to the nitty gritty of the aircraft, fine tune measurements of the entire system and assure whichever part I’m working on that day is up to par and exceeds expectations, so that aircrew can comfortably and confidently fly that aircraft without question.”