Tinker, ESC senior leaders thank 566th AMXS for another E-3 Block 40/45 achievement Published Sept. 2, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Team Tinker achieved the impossible ... again. On the morning of Aug. 25 beneath a glaring hot sun, approximately 300 guests from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, E-3 System Program Office, Electronic Systems Center and Boeing attended a victory celebration just west of Bldg. 2136's AWACS programmed depot maintenance hangar in the shadows of the first E-3 AWACS jet to receive the long-awaited Block 40/45 modification. The event marked the completion of phase two of the low-rate initial production of the Block 40/45 modification project, which was finished on the first E-3 Sentry 23 days ahead of schedule. The Block 40/45 modification is a $2.7-billion initiative to upgrade the computer system, ground systems and infrastructure. Replacing the aircraft's physical computer equipment began in November in conjunction with routine depot maintenance. "This is a great day - we delivered ahead of schedule and under budget," said Maj. Gen. David Gillett, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander. "You don't get to say that very often about programs, and it happened because this is a textbook example of how you want industry and the Air Force working together." Col. Cedric George, 76th Maintenance Wing commander, agreed. "You overcame a leaking radome, hydraulic contamination, and a late corrosion find, but nothing stopped you," Colonel George said. "You did all of this and still produced the aircraft 23 days early and with fewer than planned labor hours. I'm convinced nothing will stop you as you look forward to future E-3 inductions. That's how it's done." Block 40/45 replaces the internal 1970s equipment with commercial off-the-shelf Ethernet/local area network, similar to modern-day office equipment. The first aircraft to be reengineered is 82-007, a 27-year-old E-3. During phase one, 566th AMXS personnel installed the equipment. In phase two, they proved the systems were operational and performed and completed functional tests. Following the ceremony, aircraft 82-007 flew to Boeing in Seattle, for product qualification tests. "Congratulations to the entire team; this is an awesome job," said Col. Stacy McNutt, director of the ESC's Battle Management Directorate at Hanscom Air Force Base, Ma. "You're setting up this jet and the fleet to enable it to carry on over the next 20 years and with faster and more-timely upgrades and just keeping up with the technology changes." Col. John Rauch, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, said he and his Airmen are excited about the upgrade to their fleet. "I had a chance to tell you back in November how the 552nd ACW was salivating to get to this new weapons' upgrade, how the extra computing power would allow us to hunt down targets, integrate new technologies and develop techniques to get the most out of that great radar we're able to carry," he said. "Since then I've been very impressed with what you did in May when the system rolled out. Thanks for the great work you all did." Only six aircraft are currently approved to undergo the modification, which is a standard practice in the Department of Defense. Upon completion of the low-rate initial production, or LRIP, the system's performance will be reviewed and kinks will be sorted out. Full-rate production decisions will be pursued in late 2012 to finish the remaining 25 aircraft of the fleet. The last of the six aircraft will be finished in 2014. The 552nd Air Control Wing will perform an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation from March to June 2012. The last of the remaining 25 aircraft is expected to roll off the line in 2020. Col. Michael "Brad" Tannehill, 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group commander, greeted guests by running by the front of the bleachers slapping hands before making comments. "I once again stand amazed, a humbled, proud commander," he said. "Humbled that by God's grace I am allowed to serve with the best of the best, the warriors of the mighty 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group. Proud, because today, I get to recognize the Herculean efforts of the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron." Colonel Tannehill also recognized Eddie Nettleton, an E-3 sheet metal mechanic and "one hero" who represented the entire 566th workforce. Mr. Nettleton worked on the P-73 cabinet re-fabrication, the centerpiece communication console, which Colonel Tannehill said required the most structural modification of all the Block 40/45 components accomplished during the first phase installation. "Eddie is the constraint buster," Colonel Tannehill said. "He reduced the time it took from 18 weeks to eight weeks, more than 50 percent improvement, because he had the courage to make a decision and had the conviction. I want to recognize him, not as an individual, but because he represents you and everything you do, every single day." Mr. Nettleton said he couldn't have done it without the help of everyone else. "If we saw a problem, we all came together and got it done," he said. Bruno Morf, 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director, thanked the crowd and professed his appreciation. "Thank you, thank you and thank you. Everybody out here rocks," he said. "You made the impossible possible, one more time. Thank you to all of our teammates and to the men and women of the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, it's been an absolute wonderful experience and I, too, am humbled to be part of your team." Following the ceremony, guests were invited to climb aboard the aircraft and view the new equipment.