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Volume 2, No. 3
Fall 2006
- Army Wages Corrosion War to Keep Helicopter Crews Safe
As helicopter airframes age, U.S. air crews fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are especially vulnerable. Three years ago, the Army declared a new war against helicopter corrosion. To keep its helicopter fleet viable and minimize safety problems, the Service has been "re-setting" or refurbishing sand-drenched helicopters in depots across the country. The Army Reset program is a broad-based effort to improve corrosion prevention in the Army and Navy.
In a related sidebar—Three Military Services Fight Corrosion Together—CorrDefense interviews a senior naval aviation engineer about the history of a unique military partnership. Craig Matzdorf recalls how the Navy, Air Force, and Aviation Missile Command have tackled military corrosion issues jointly for two decades.
- Beating Corrosion is Vital at Patrick Air Force Base
Taking cues from experts, the aircraft maintenance team at Patrick Air Force Base has spent seven years putting corrosion prevention systems in place to fight the ocean environment's harsh effects. Today, the base's corrosion program has eliminated flight risks for search-and-rescue air crews. A related story, "Sensor Technology Helps Crews Maintain C-130s," looks at the use of data-collection sensors on Air Force C-130s to analyze the effects of weather and the environment. Since it was first deployed in the 1950s, the C-130 has supported the Services by airlifting troops and supplies to hostile zones.
- Saluting the Career of a DoD Corrosion Leader: A Profile of Dick Kinzie
After 22 years with the Air Force, Dick Kinzie retired as chief engineer and deputy office chief of the Air Force Corrosion Prevention and Control Office. Kinzie was a pioneer in managing corrosion as a structural integrity issue in aging aircraft, environmental monitoring, and maintenance practices. A strong advocate for keeping the Services and other agencies aware of corrosion, Kinzie spearheaded key projects and testing in spite of bureaucracy.
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