This week the first C-130 in two years to get that fix rolled out of the refurbishment hangar onto Yokota s flightline. The aircraft got more than an additional coat of paint. The C-130 was inspected from tip to tip for corrosion problems. Any problems found were fixed before they turned into a major concern. Paul Cotto, the NCO in charge of the shop.
Corrosion eats away at the aircraft s structural parts.
Without this inspection, this could go unchecked and lead to big problems. Everything that can be unbolted or removed is removed. Then there is a complete corrosion inspection. When the corrosion inspection is done, we go through the process of refurbishing all the parts and painting them. Because other maintenance projects and upgrades to the C-130s here were being done, the wing couldn t afford to have another aircraft taken from the mission for refurbishment.