RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
It was a special day on Feb. 13 for a group of Team Randolph members whose daily mission is to make sure the rubber meets the runway safely.
Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, was on hand as specialists assigned to the Aircraft Wheel and Tire Shop in Hangar 16 celebrated the construction of their new home with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new wheel and tire shop, part of the 12th Maintenance Directorate's Component Maintenance Division, was erected Dec. 7 at a cost of $53,000, replacing a facility built in the 1970s that was moved to Hangar 16 more than a decade ago.
"The old shop was held together with cables and brackets and was not in good condition," said Joe Holley, power support systems production supervisor. "This building is a big improvement."
The new 1,000-square-foot facility boasts upgrades such as separate work and break areas, a fire-suppression system, better lighting and much-improved temperature and humidity control.
"There was a constant effort to keep humidity out in the old building," Mr. Holley said.
Rick Delapaz, power support systems supervisor, said the new building provides workers with a much better environment.
"It's very comfortable here," Mr. Delapaz said. "Now the building has a dedicated office space and break room area. It's a very good environment for them."
The wheel and tire shop provides support to more than 150 aircraft that are part of Randolph's assigned aircraft, including 69 T-38s, 45 T-6s, 30 T-1s and eight T-43s. In 2008, with only three personnel assigned - Lou Chatman, Royzell Spencer and Tammy Bishop - the office was responsible for maintaining over 4,500 wheels and 23,000 pieces of associated hardware.
Mr. Delapaz called the wheel and tire specialists "the most productive shop in the maintenance organization on a daily basis."
"They average 400 tires per month," he said.
Workers at the shop receive wheels from the flightline daily, then follow a process of cleaning, inspection and reassembly or replacement, if necessary.
"The wheels are covered with brake dust and other debris when they come in," said Lou Chatman, one of the wheel and tire specialists. "They have to be cleaned to see cracks and corrosion."
Wheels are sent to a facility known as the nondestructive inspection shop on a regular schedule based on the aircraft type. Wheels for the T-43 and T-1 are sent to NDI each time they're flown, while those for the T-6 and T-38 are sent to NDI less frequently.
"Inspection is important," Mr. Chatman said. "Cracks are a serious matter. With a crack, anything can happen to a wheel."
Tires are also replaced when necessary, but, in general, those on the T-6 and T-38 are changed more frequently than the tires on the T-1 and T-43.
"A lot of inspection is required," Mr. Holley said. "There are many rules and regulations for tires."
Mr. Chatman said the importance of the wheel and tire shop cannot be overemphasized.
"If you don't have a tire shop, the aircraft won't roll to the end of the runway," he said.
Mr. Delapaz said the specialists are dedicated to providing safe, reliable wheel and tire support to the flightline while maintaining a low operating cost for the mission.