Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Air National Guard Maintainers Innovate C-17 Platform By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Hotter,
                105th Airlift Wing
 NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The thundering of hammers and wrenches echoed throughout an ordinarily calm aircraft hangar Dec. 21 as a $1.5 million National Guard Bureau investment was pieced together at Stewart Air National Guard Base, home of the 105th Airlift Wing and its nine C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The New York Air National Guard now stewards a state-of-the-art C-17 maintenance platform manufactured by Cv International (CVI), designed with assistance from eight senior Air National Guard maintenance personnel from around the nation. “Initially, we went down to Martinsburg, Virginia, and we did a design phase where we came up with ideas ... from our past experience, “said Senior Master Sgt. John E. Tobin III, an inspection section supervisor at the 105th Maintenance Squadron. “From that point, CVI went back to the drawing board. Then we went back to Martinsburg for the first article test. There were a few modifications that had to be made at that point, which are implemented in the stands that we received.” The groundbreaking stand promises to increase the airworthiness and safety of C-17 aircraft in Stewart’s hangar while saving time and resources. It features an ergonomically designed layout that allows for a quick turnaround for minor repairs and inspections. According to CVI, the platform reduces maintenance time by over 40% and technician fatigue by 97%. “We were using those little blue Genie lifts, and for each person on a Genie lift, you need a spotter,” Tobin explained. “One person was standing on the ground and watching them drive around, looking at one small area of the aircraft at a time. Now the ground spotters would be able to work ... instead of just standing on the ground watching.” The platform’s cutting-edge technology – including LED lighting and anti-slip surfaces – makes it safer for technicians. It is also adjustable, allowing mechanics more access to the aircraft’s under-structure. “The guys from each base were very engaged,” said Sam Zumbrunnen, president of CVI. “John Tobin was extremely helpful and provided a lot of input into the design, being the voice of the end-user to make sure that we capture the nuances for the maintainers ... to make sure that all their needs could be met.” The maintenance stand is the latest example of how the Air National Guard strives for innovation and excellence. “This section has a strong and long history of continuous process improvement, and this is another aspect of that CPI initiative,” said Lt. Col. Eric L. Durkins II, commander, 105th Maintenance Squadron. “I know all the guys are pretty happy to have them and the jet shop guys are thrilled from what I’ve seen so far because the access that they have now is so much better,” said Tobin. “We might actually be spending a little bit more time in the fix phase ... because what the guys find during the inspections could potentially keep us on the ground a little longer – but we’ll have a safer aircraft for it.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  New York Air National Guard
 innovation and modernization
 
 New York Air Guard Transports Special Operations Forces
 By Tech. Sgt. Madison Scaringe,
  New York Air Guard Members Recognized for Lifesaving Actions
 By Maj. Suzanne Jedrosko,
  Air National Guard Wings Participate in Agile Rage Exercise
 By Staff Sgt. Sean Madden,
  More
 New York, Connecticut Soldiers are Regional Best Warriors5/20/2024Connecticut Guard Deploys Cloud-Based Radar/Radio Connection5/17/2024New York Air Guard Transports Special Operations Forces5/15/2024 View more Guard News »
 Maryland Air Guard Participates in Desert Flag 20245/17/2024
Georgia Army Guard Joins DEFENDER 24 Exercise in Sweden5/8/2024
Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe5/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 New Hampshire Guard Welcomes Cabo Verde State Partners5/17/2024

Sierra Leone to Partner with Michigan National Guard, Liberia5/16/2024

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Join Multinational Exercise5/14/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil