BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --
Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron’s Aircraft Maintenance Unit accomplished a rare feat Nov.
12, when a C-130J was cleared for takeoff here in black-letter initial status.
The expression black-letter
initial originates from the 781H form used to inspect C-130s before and after
each flight. Crew chiefs annotate discrepancies in the 781 forms with an x, a dash, or a forward slash in red pen. In the uncommon event zero
discrepancies are found, the crew chief has the honor of initialing the form in
black ink.
“My team has
worked extremely hard and devoted countless hours to the task of researching
and replacing parts to clear every discrepancy down to the smallest screw,”
said Master Sgt. Jeremy Doggett, 455 EAMXS AMU production superintendent. “Furthermore,
we have managed a delicate balance of flying the aircraft in support of the Air
Tasking Order without missing a beat. This aircraft has a mission-capable rate
of 97.3 percent and flew 92 sorties throughout Afghanistan and surrounding
countries in the last month alone.”
In spite of the
intense operations tempo, maintainers carved out opportunities to ensure
aircraft 3145, recently christened “The Black Letter Beast”, was performing to
the best of its ability.
“The primary
crew chiefs assigned to 3145 are Senior Airman
Ryan Hutchins and Airman 1st Class Adam Zaremba,” Doggett said. “In addition to the hard work these two
outstanding Airmen contributed, all 101 maintainers hailing from Little Rock
Air Force Base, Arkansas, put their best foot forward to make this happen.”
Accomplishing the black-letter
initial flight required Doggett to coordinate with maintenance partners
both stateside, and in other regions of Afghanistan.
“In addition to having a top-notch team, it took
coordination from our maintenance staff back home to get all the parts required
and the aircraft records needed to make this possible,” Doggett said. “Our
outstanding aircrews assigned to the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron also
played a huge roll in taking care of “The Beast” when she was out hacking missions
over Afghanistan and surrounding areas.”
For Doggett and his crew, the black-letter initial is a tangible
representation of the devotion and pride he and his crew take in every
maintenance action they complete, from cradle to grave.
“I see the
fruits of my labor every day,” Doggett said. “Whether it be directing
maintenance or scheduling aircraft to fly, my job is very near the tip of the
spear. Although I don't fly the
aircraft, I ensure that mission-ready aircraft are provided to flight crews day
in and day out in support of the ATO to deliver cargo, personnel, perform
medevac missions or any other mission. We keep our aircraft on the ready for
flight at a moment's notice, anywhere needed.”