The
Royal Maces By AD1 (AW) Luckyralp P. Baun and AD1 (AW) Evelyn Kamiri
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IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER EVENING ONBOARD THE USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76). NOTHING WOULD MAKE ANYONE BELIEVE THAT THIS NIGHT WOULD END UP RESULTING IN AN OVERSIGHT THAT CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO AN AIRCRAFT. ”
#3 On the flight deck, Sailors attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 27, the “Royal Maces,” were executing a high-power turn-up evolution on one of their F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft. Side number 205 just received a new set of afterburner spray bars and made a pleasant growl while the maintenance crew swarmed its sides in anticipation of afterburner flames. Ten minutes into the job and just before the great afterburner flames could come to life, fasteners started flying, leaving one composite door crunched, a trailing edge flap mangled and maintainers wholly demoralized. Power plants had been one of the backbone workcenters throughout the deployment. Due to high operational tempo, mechs had endured an onslaught of unscheduled maintenance, tackling a significant amount of aircraft discrepancies brought back from routine flight operations. Due to the COVID-19 environment, the Royal Maces were stuck between low morale and repetitive maintenance, resulting in a level of complacency that proved to be dangerous when not combatted by thorough adherence to procedures and attentiveness to their surroundings.
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MECH
Shift change occurred on the flight deck at 1700. It was well into the middle of a hectic flight schedule when the night shift came up to the weather decks to relieve the day shift. Aircraft 205 was prepared for a highpower turn, which is done to check engine specifics related to maximum thrust, or afterburner, following Technical Troubleshooting Manual A1-F414ATTM-000. Night shift performed an operational check on the long afterburner spray bars and primary bleed air pressure regulating shutoff valve. A newly-created turn crew consisted of a turn operator, plane captain, two safety observers, flight deck Chief, technician and a collateral duty inspector. The team was composed of seasoned technicians and everyone knew their roles in the event. Everybody manned their positions and was ready to roll. The team had been waiting a significant amount of time and the sun was starting to set over the horizon, blanketing the deck and everyone in darkness, leading to a feeling of complacency and eagerness to start the evolution. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the flight deck Chief finally signaled them to start the auxiliary power unit.
Photo courtesy to the writers
