EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- “Sticks and stones may break my bones,” and they can also damage aircraft. Nuts, bolts and other parts are necessary for aircraft to fly, but not when they are lying on the airfield.
Approximately 800 Airmen with the 354th Fighter Wing and tenant units gathered en masse April 11 to ensure pieces of foreign-object debris stay where they belong, away from aircraft.
“Ultimately, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep FOD off the airfield because aircraft are vulnerable to ingesting debris to their intake,” said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Fernandez, the 354th Fighter Wing FOD monitor. “Our maintenance Airmen do a great job of performing daily FOD walks around their immediate area, but we needed to do this on a considerable scale. We appreciate the help from everyone who made it a quicker process.”
Different shops around base help maintain the airfield throughout the winter, but the break-up of snow and preparation for RED FLAG-Alaska 16-1 inspired the FOD walk. Five and a half miles of Eielson’s runways and taxiways were cleared in less than three hours.
“With our base being unique in hosting a multi-national exercise, it’s imperative to maintain a clean airfield not only for our members, but for visiting units,” explained Fernandez. “The airfield and taxiways are now clear of 240 pounds of FOD, immensely reducing the risk of damaging aircraft.”
To encourage a keen eye, two pieces of treasured FOD known as the “Golden Bolt” were intentionally placed on the flightline. When picked up, the find is rewarded with a day off from the wing vice commander.
“I enjoyed being able to contribute to the FOD walk and help make sure the airfield is safe for use,” said Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Coules, a 354th Maintenance Group weapons system coordinator. “I was excited when I found one of the Golden Bolt’s because it is a nice bonus to get rewarded and receive a day off.”
RED FLAG-Alaska 16-1, the first of four scheduled exercises this summer, will begin on April 28 and it will begin with a FOD-free flightline.