Greasy-handed heroes: Members of the 116th earn maintenance award for work on Joint STARS  By Gene Rector Macon Telegraph May 6, 2006 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE - The "bad guy" hunting prowess of Joint STARS has been widely publicized. Using a belly-mounted, 24-foot radar tied to sophisticated computers and communications gear, the aircraft mission team can detect, identify and track movement on the ground at ranges in excess of 150 miles. Joint STARS has been a lifesaver for ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and a constant companion for supply convoys trekking dangerous roadways in the combat zone. But pushed to the background, at least in the public discussion, have been the mechanical realities of Joint STARS - how the now indispensable surveillance system packs cutting-edge electronics in a 50-year-old airframe powered by 40-year-old engines. Keeping 17 aircraft flying - at Robins Air Force Base and at forward locations - is the challenge facing about 1,000 members of the 116th Air Control Wing. So far, they've done well. In fact, exceptionally well, earning the 2005 Air National Guard Clements McMullen Daedalian Weapon System Maintenance Trophy. The award, presented to the unit at the end of April, cited 11,000 mishap-free flying hours during the year, including more than 7,000 in the war on terror. All were accomplished with an ancient system requiring almost constant care and attention from people with grease on their hands. Tech Sgt. Demetrious Salinas battles insidious corrosion on the Boeing-produced airframe, particularly on flight control surfaces - especially flaps and ailerons. In hydraulics, Tech. Sgt. Bill Langston frets over aluminum T-fittings and stainless steel B nuts that are as old as the airplane. Master Sgt. Chris Carbahal nurses old engines designed for a lighter aircraft. Thrust reversers are his big headache. "The engines are just old and they're getting beat up," Carbahal said. Tech Sgt. Jason Branson, a maintenance crew chief with experience on newer aircraft, said he was shocked when he took his first detailed look at the airframe three years ago. "A lot of hard work goes into making it happen," Branson said. "It's definitely not easy." He said the mix of Georgia Air National Guard and active duty elements in the 116th is a plus. The Robins unit - the Air Force's only Joint STARS wing - is also the Air Force's first "blended wing." "The Guard guys have been around," Branson said. "They have a lot of experience and they've filled a lot of different jobs. We have a lot of knowledge in this unit and that makes it good." All have seen their share of duty in the combat zone, often working 14-hour shifts, six or seven days a week. "Over there, if it's broke, you fix it," Langston said. None of the crew worry about launching an unsafe aircraft despite its age. They say too many people - including highly trained 7-level supervisors - check and double-check the work. "There are just too many eyes," Langston emphasized. "We always have someone looking and we have two 7-levels per shift." The maintainers say they are closely tied to the unit's overall mission. "The last time I was at the forward operating location, they had a hot target and wanted the aircraft to take off two hours early," Langston said. "We did that. The plane made its mission. They were tracking a guy. It was a rush thing. The Army and Marines want us up there. They want us to track and catch people and that's what our plane does." Salinas said the other services are not reluctant to talk about the value of Joint STARS. "It seems like every month or so, a Marine or Army general officer makes a comment about how much they appreciate what we do," he said. "They respect us." The resupply convoys are particularly appreciative. "If we're up there, we can tell them where the bogies are. We can tell them to watch their tail," the Nashville, Tenn., native said. "If need be, we can direct fighter aircraft in to check things out. It's a lot different than flying around the flag pole like we do here." Langston echoed those feelings. "It makes us feel good that we're really doing something. We're not just turning a wrench," he said. "We're where the rubber meets the road and we're contributing. We're not out there shooting a gun, but we're saving lives." (Archives)