COMMANDER EDWARD C. MILLERThe Large number of personnel in the Maintenance Department, in relation to other VW-1 departments, indicates the tremendous amount of work accomplished by this group of Navy men.
Briefly, the Maintenance Department is responsible for the upkeep of all the squadron aircraft. This includes everything from changing a small nut on a bolt to mounting an entire new engine on an aircraft. Simple as it may sound, it takes many highly trained men to accomplish this mission and do it effectively. The outstanding flight safety record of VW-1 aircraft indicates the high quality of workmanship provided by these trained men.
Maintenance is divided into several different divisions comprising the Shops Division, Quality Control Division, Planning Division, and the Line Division. Beginning with the shops Division we will briefly describe each Division's assigned duties. The Shops Division is divided into several branches. The Power Plants branch is responsible for the care and upkeep of each engine on every squadron aircraft, they also change each engine that has reached its maximum age or has developed some other malady. Air Frames handles the main structure of the aircraft including fuselage, wings, and tail section. They also are responsible for the hydraulic and fuel lines running through out the aircraft. Avionics keeps the radar in operating condition in addition to all the communications and electrical wiring aboard. Aviation Equipment has an all important job in maintaining the on board survival equipment. They periodically repack parachutes, test life rafts and vests, and handle all other personal survival equipment that may be required for flight.
The Quality Control Division has a big job in inspecting all work performed by the Shops Division for any defects or inadvertent mistakes made while routine work requests are being fulfilled.
The Line Division personnel are experts in aircraft ground handling. They are the ones who park the planes and help direct pilots coming in from all flights. Their tools are the tractors and power units provided the aircraft during ground operations.
Last, but not least is the Planning Division. Every day a virtual flood of paper work comes through this division and must be routed to all other members of the Department. They are the ones, in conjunction with the Department Head, who coordinate the entire Department. In addition there are multitudes of Maintenance reports that must go out periodically to other Naval activities all over the world. and this is accomplished by the Planning Division.
All the Divisions, working as a team, easily and willingly accept the challenge set forth by the heavy opeartional commitments required to keep VW-1 an outstanding squadron.
Full page decompage of VW-1 Maintenance shops click on image to enlarge.
