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11 set to retire from Engine Test Flight

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  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  On Nov. 30, 11 people will walk out the door of Bldg. 3234 for the final time. Those retiring are Randall Brock, Hugh Crow, Freddie Danker, Lloyd Fincher Jr., Mike Fullbright, Alan Houk, Roy Kniffin, Debbie Phillips, Robbie Robinson, Robert Robinson and Mark Smith.

Although they all have different job functions and responsibilities, each individual has performed their job with professionalism, integrity and commitment while serving in the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group's Engine Test Flight.

A misconception of the test flight is that is consists of only testing engines. The Engine Test Flight consists of Engine Testing, Final Preparation and TDR/Reclamation.

Operations included in the engine test process are pre- and post-test inspections, install required engine test hardware, preserve the engines for storage and remove test hardware after the engine test sequence. Accepted engines are then moved to the Final Prep section where they receive a very thorough final inspection and then wrapped and prepared for shipment to customers in the field.

The TDR/Reclamation reclaims useable parts off of our older, non-serviceable engines. These are parts that still have a valuable service life remaining. This process saves the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of dollars, annually. Finally, there are folks who analyze engines that have failed the engine test process and provide recommendations to correct the deficiency and prevent further occurrences.

The Test Flight has a commitment to provide quality engines to all of its customers and these 11 individuals have played a key role in our continuing success. They have been involved in various engine acceptance processes with a variety of aircraft power plants. That is, propulsion systems for the old, and now retired, A-7, F-4 and F-111 aircraft to the newer B-1, B-2, F-16, F-117 and KC-135 aircraft.

Career highlights
· Mike Fullbright's 39-year career has been spent building jet engines. He has worked the 57 Line and disassembly
· In his 33-year career, Hugh Crow has worked with engines on the F110 Line, F101 Line and the Rotor shop
· Freddie Danker's 33-year career has included time in Reclamation, the Afterburner shop and the Alternator shop.
· In his 33-year career, Alan Houk has worked on TF41, J57, TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines.
· In his 33-year career, Mark Smith has worked on the TF41, J57, J79, TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F117, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines
· In his 32-year career, Roy Kniffin has worked on the TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F100, F117, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines.
· In her 32-year career, Debbie Phillip has worked on the TF41, J57, J79, TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F117, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines.
· Robert Robinson spent his entire 31-year career building jet engines. He worked on the TF30 line building P3, P7, P9 and P100 engines.
· In his 29-year career, Randall Brock has worked on TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F100, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines.
· In his-28 year career, Lloyd Fincher Jr has worked on TF30-P100, TF30-414, F101, F118, F108, F100, F110-100, F110-129, F110-400, TF33-P103, TF33-P102, TF33-P7 and TF33-P100 engines.
· Robbie Robinson has 25 years of experience in TDSC and computer support organization