MC-130 Maintenance at RAF Fairford
Summer 2004
 

With the temporary closure of RAF Mildenhall the 352nd Maintenance Squadron Isochronal Inspection Section needed somewhere with runway accessible hangar space where they could continue to maintain the Group’s MC-130 type aircraft.  Fairford met this requirement perfectly and with the airfield open for KC-135 operations there was no problem flying their MC-130 aircraft in and out throughout the summer months.

 






















 




















 

While at Fairford the 352nd MXS performed the scheduled annual aircraft inspections, managed the aircraft washes and performed all major maintenance for the Special Operations Group.  All of this required MC-130 hangar space, in-tank fuel cell maintenance and aircraft jacking equipment.  Most of the equipment needed was supplied by the 352nd MXS such as tools, aircraft parts, airframe specific stands, engine wash carts, aircraft support cribbing, a high-lift and a crane.

 






 


The deployed personnel were from the 352 MXS and included MC-130 Crew Chiefs, Aero Repair technicians, Intercom and Flight Control Systems Specialists and Propulsion Systems Specialist. The 100th ARW Maintenance Squadron supplied other personnel who provided critical expertise in other areas such as Electro-Environmental Systems and Hydraulics Systems Specialists, Structural Repair Technicians and Metals Technology Technicians.
 


Operating out of Fairford meant the 352nd had to keep track of people rotating between RAF Mildenhall and RAF Fairford, when various specialists would be arriving or leaving so they could ensure maintenance could continue without interruption and caring for the dorm rooms at Fairford.  In fact the airmen were specifically praised for doing an outstanding job of maintaining their quarters and ensuring that the rooms and common areas were kept clean and ready.
 
















 

Not everything was good, the supply and transportation of aircraft parts between Mildenhall and Fairford added significantly to the length of time for repairs, requiring extra time to be scheduled in during inspections and repair estimates.

 


















 



 


The visiting airmen found both the atmosphere of the base and the area extremely pleasant and those who were able to be here enjoyed the scenery and the local villages immensely.  On base the dining facility provided them with an excellent menu and with great service for all shifts including the weekend workers and the base gym was excellent.
 



















 

 Taking into account world events and some of the locations the 352nd deploy to this was easily one of the best locations to be sent to in terms of scenery and hospitality.

The most frequently visited local areas were Swindon most of the local villages, kebab shops and some of the local golf courses.  Many also took advantage of the location to visit some of the regional sites like Stonehenge.  For those who deployed who are familiar with the north western part of the US the Fairford area felt very familiar.  The hills and trees made the entire region very pleasant to be in.  Mildenhall, by comparison, reminded many people of the plains states of the U.S.

 















 
Overall people left with a great impression of the base and surrounding community. Pretty much everybody that went down there enjoyed themselves and would not mind returning there for a similar deployment.
 



 

 
Images and information for this article came from the 352nd SOG Public Affairs, RAF Mildenhall.