Paint shop protects B-52 from nature’s effects

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  From thunderstorms to 100 degree days, one unit battles the North Louisiana climate to protect the base's aircraft here.

The 2nd Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight Aircraft Structural Maintenance Section's paint shop constantly renews the coatings that protect aircraft structural materials from the ravages of time, weather and operations.

"Our mission is to extend the life and serviceability of aircraft and equipment," said Staff Sgt. Patrick Towler, paint shop manager. "Corrosion is the number one cause of damage to aircraft."

Corrosion prevention is not as simple as it sounds and is more than just adding a new coat of paint when the old one starts to fade.

"When we receive parts, we can strip the paint off, and then it will undergo a non-destructive inspection, which will determine if the part has any defects that can't be seen by a human eye," Towler said.

If the shop didn't strip the paint off the part, inspecting the structure would be significantly more difficult, he added.

When a defect or damage is discovered the part is sent to the appropriate repair section for maintenance. It will then be sent back to the shop to be primed and painted.

What seems like just a layer of paint to some is actually considered to be a part of the aircraft, much like a strut or wheel. And because it's a part, it has to be regularly inspected for wear and tear.

"We have corrosion inspections every 120 days on an aircraft to make sure it isn't being eaten away by the elements," said Towler. "We treat the corrosion and apply additional coatings to protect the area."

With a full paint inspection occurring three times a year, the paint shop does their part to prevent the B-52H Stratofortress from turning into weathered scrap metal.

"If we didn't do our job and inspect the aircraft, corrosion would get out of control and parts would constantly break down," said Towler.

Corrosion prevention is critical not only to keeping the aircraft in durable condition, but this kind of preventative maintenance saves the Air Force money.

"If we don't do this, all of the aircraft would deteriorate and would cost the Air Force billions to replace since parts degrade over time," said Tech Sgt. Brent Bays, ASM section assistant shop chief. "Our aircraft have to be in top condition because of our mission. Preventing a part from corroding is cheaper than replacing a part irreparably damaged by corrosion."

It is the constant work and vigilance of Airmen like those in the ASM that ensure the 60-year-old B-52 airframe will continue flying reliably and the mission operational.