Fabrication flight modifies sling to support crew chiefs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean Martin
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Airmen from the 2nd Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight completed a test for a sling that will be used to transport the radome of a B-52H Stratofortress during maintenance.

The sling was originally created to reduce safety hazards and cut back on man power needed.

"In the past, it took about 10 to 12 guys to remove the radome from the crate and it caused a lot of safety issues," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Colley, 2nd MXS metals technology craftsman. "It now only takes 3 to 5 guys to complete the job.

The original sling was built to fit a new radome, but Airmen from the 2nd MXS fabrication flight had to modify this design to fit covers that were more worn.

"The measurements for the old sling were meant for a new radome," said Staff Sgt. Logan Portell, 2nd MXS aircraft metals technology craftsman. "The problem with that is these covers have been modified and handled so many times, they did not match up like the news ones would."

Airmen from the fab flight had to make adjustments to the old sling to make it fit older nose pieces.

The sling is able to pivot 360 degrees allowing crew chiefs to have more control of the radome.

"The sling works by attaching a steel frame to the radome and a crane," said Portell. "The crane, with the assistance of the sling, is then used to lift the piece out of a crate and onto a stand in a safe and timely manner. It can also be used if the radome is being removed from the aircraft."

The build process involved many different parts and Airmen to complete the sling.

"This job has been a shop effort," said Portell. "There was a lot of fabricating, welding and thought processes that went into it. It came down to people giving input according to their skill level and expertise."

The sling represents the hard work and creativity metals technology Airmen posses.

"It highlights what we do day in and day out," said Portell. "It puts us on the map and let's other people know what we are capable of."