Last modified Wed., October 29, 2008 - 03:37 PM
Originally created Thursday, October 30, 2008

FRCSE field team machinists support the warfighter around the world

By Judy Alexander, FRCSE PAO

While in Iraq, FRCSE field team machinist John Argabrite used a lathe mounted on a flat bed trailer to manufacture parts. Photos courtesy of FRCSE

It takes an exceptionally skilled artisan to accomplish repairs on the rolling deck of an aircraft carrier or on a sandy tarmac in theater. No matter where Navy aircraft fly around the world, when extensive repairs are needed, a "field team machinist" is called. At Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), skilled machinists work in production shops - but, when called, they also travel the world to provide on-site aircraft repair.

In today's technology driven society, FRCSE machinists still use "old school" hand and wrist expertise to repair aircraft. Using a number of manual cutting tools to manufacture and modify parts, their expertise is vital to combat readiness.

FRCSE machinist field team members are called upon to repair E-6A aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., SH-60 helicopters in Panama or Iraq, or F/A-18 Hornets in Iraq or Florida. Wherever the job, wherever the need, the field team can be in transit within 24 hours, because they know that warfighters depend on their ability to get aircraft up and ready to fly.

From left: FRCSE artisans Mike King and Eric Saunter install bushings in an F/A-18 engine bay door. Photo by Victor Pitts

Each field team member has their own story to tell from interesting destinations and diverse cultures to the interesting people they meet and the unique jobs they do.

Field team member John Argabrite, recently returned from Iraq where he

received special thanks for helping Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. The squadron was tasked with a short-term deployment that required the movement of CH-53E aircraft by means of strategic airlift. A shortage of wheel assembly bearings placed this movement in jeopardy. Argabrite manufactured new bearings that allowed the Marines to successfully complete their mission.

While some repairs may be as fundamental as replacing bushings and bearings - other repairs may be extensive - such as repairing a damaged bulkhead or fabricating and replacing longerons (a thin strip of metal to which the skin of the aircraft is attached) because of battle damage. While engineers determine the overall scope of the job, the field team machinists determine how to do the job and what tooling is necessary to accomplish the task.

FRCSE field team machinists force mate an F/A-18 wing lug bushing in the fuselage. (Front from left) Frankie Doyle and Allen Beard. (Back from left) Charles Cox and Narom Orr. Photo by Victor Pitts

A machinist is called upon when a part needs to be created from raw material. It may require several steps and more than one machine tool. Each machine tool is designed to play a specific role in cutting away excess material. Field team machinists are journeyman-level artisans who have many years of experience in determining the correct tools and the correct processes to follow.