Recently the office assisted the Navy in airlifting a sonar window dome and five large propeller shafts that were urgently needed to repair the USS Antietam, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser ship that was severely damaged after running aground in Tokyo Bay, Japan, earlier in the year.
Ranging from 50 feet to more than 60 feet long and weighing between 50,000 to more than 70,000 pounds, the enormous shafts were considered a significant challenge to airlift, which is why experts from ATTLA were asked to assist.
Working with the Navy, Brian Herriott, a technician with ATTLA, designed special fixtures to restrain and protect the shafts from damage that could occur from movement caused by air turbulence or a rough landing.
In addition Herriott worked with employees from Travis Air Force Base, California, to design and fabricate alternative portable loading ramps for use when the C-5 aircraft carrying the parts arrived in Japan. The ramps helped prevent damage caused by dragging during the loading and unloading of parts.
Not only did the alternative ramps save money, but they also saved hundreds of pounds of payload weight compared to transporting the C-5 ramp extensions to Japan.
“My job was to get it [sonar window dome and propeller shafts] from point A to point B,” Herriott said. “These items were long and heavy, so we had to come up with unique procedures to get them on the airplane.”
Once the items were on the plane they faced unique challenges, like air turbulence.
“The airplane environment is more severe [than traditional modes of transport], said Mark Kuntavanish, ATTLA lead. “So the requirements for airlift is much higher than over the road like on the highway. For example, restraint requirements are at least three times higher than what’s required on the highway.”
With ATTLA’s expertise and support, the Navy’s replacement parts arrived safely.
“ATTLA has long been recognized as a vital element in the airlift process,” said Kuntavanish. “ATTLA provides guidance for meeting air transport requirements, ensures air transport capability of weapons systems and supplies, and provides standardized instructions that improves the efficiency and safety of airlift operations.”
About the Author