NDI keeps B-52s mission capable

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mozer O. Da Cunha
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  Much like doctors use X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imagining and other diagnostic equipment to identify unseen problems, aircraft are no different.

The 2nd Maintenance Squadron Nondestructive Inspection flight uses test equipment to inspect both parts and equipment vital to the service of the B-52H Stratofortress.

"Just because an item has been on the aircraft for a while doesn't mean it needs to be replaced," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Martinez, 2nd MXS NDI assistant NCO in-charge. "By inspecting and verifying a part is defect-free, we can expand the longevity of the B-52 by ensuring vital aircraft parts are mission ready."

NDI Airmen perform precise measurements without damaging the item being inspected.

"The way we inspect does not affect the use of the part by tearing it apart or breaking it," Martinez said. "Our methods keep parts intact for future use, which saves the Air Force money on replacements."

NDI can determine the difference between defects and scratches by using specialized technology.

"Sometimes we find defects and there is no way for us to know if it's a scratch or a crack," said Tech Sgt. Lawrence Scruggs, 2nd Maintenance Squadron phase propulsion section NCO in-charge. "The damage might look like a scratch to us, but to them it could be an actual crack."

By using portable equipment NDI is capable of inspecting parts both in shop and on-site.

"Our X-ray technology is portable," Martinez said. "We can use it in-shop to certify welds, or even X-ray aircraft on the flight line. By doing this in-house NDI saves the Air Force money by not hiring off-base contractors to do inspections."

Additionally, mobile inspection equipment provides NDI the capability of supporting shops around base.

"Whenever we find a defect or a crack on a part we call NDI for support," Scruggs said. "We call them because they see defects better than we can with their machines, it just us ensure sure we are keeping a serviceable part in inventory."

Depending on inspection requirements, NDI has multiple machines to ensure the integrity of parts.

"We use eddy current, to look for cracks in aluminum, steel and titanium," Martinez said. "This inspection sends electromagnetic sound waves into parts that conduct electricity. We use this to scan flat areas to look for cracks and also measure the length of the crack."

However, smaller items, such as bolts and brakes, require different inspections.
"For smaller items we use a magnetic particle inspection to find cracks or other defects," Martinez said. "The particles we use on these smaller parts are fluorescent, if there is a defect, those particles will attach to that, and together with a black light in a dark environment, those defects become visible."

Not only does NDI inspect parts, engine oil is tested every 150 hours of flight to prevent possible engine failures.

"We run oil samples through a spectrometer to monitor 19 different elements that are present," Martinez said. "If the numbers don't match the recommended values we can provide maintenance with repair suggestions."

Consequently, by providing this service NDI assists phase in detection of problems not visible to the eye.

"With this inspection they indicate to us if there are any potential defective parts inside the engine," Scruggs said. "If we didn't have them providing this service and there was a problem we could possibly lose an engine and a flight crew."

While providing this specialized service, NDI gives Barksdale an efficient way to accomplish the mission.

"Without NDI there would be no fast and cost effective way to inspect parts for damage," Martinez said. "Therefore, items would have to be replaced more often, costing the Air Force money, in addition to an increase in man hours to keep up with the additional maintenance requests."

Without the support provided by NDI, maintenance costs would also increase.

"If we suspect a problem and we don't have NDI to inspect the equipment we would have to do a full tear down," Scruggs said. "And in the case of engines a rebuild would be required, each time we do that it costs the Air Force 1.6 million."

Martinez takes pride in his work because he knows he directly influences Barksdale's effectiveness.

"I've been on Barksdale close to two years and I'm very proud of what I do," Martinez said. "Knowing what I do directly affects how fast and efficiently we accomplish the mission, makes me give all that I have."

Whether it's on-site or in the shop, NDI delivers swift and accurate inspections, ensuring Barksdales aircraft are ready to achieve any mission, anywhere at any time.