A primer of the United States Air Force aircraft/missile Technical Coordination Program

DISAM Journal,  Winter, 2003  by Forrest Smith

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

* Contracted services;

* Aircraft structural integrity program,

* Studies and surveys;

* Travel.

Costs of the program are based on number of aircraft in the member's inventory.

E-3 Technical Coordination Group in Action

A historic decision was made on October 4, 2001 when the NATO alliance voted to implement Article 5 and deploy five NATO AWACS to the United States for Operation Eagle Assist in the months that followed the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This was the first time in NATO history that a mission was deployed to the United States under Article 5.

The NATO E-3A's based in Geilenkirchen, Germany were deployed to the United States to alleviate the workload placed on the US AWACS fleet. Over the course of Operation Eagle Assist, more than 820 military members and civilians from all thirteen nations represented in the E-3A component were deployed to Tinker Air Force Base to support the mission. The NATO AWACS, their crews, and support personnel commenced operations at Tinker Air Force Base in mid-October 2001. They assisted with counter terrorism operations that clearly helped reduce the strain placed upon the US AWACS fleet deployed during Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. The E-3 TCG provided initial deployment planning and sustainment support for NATO throughout the deployment.

In Operation Eagle Assist, the deployed NATO Component personnel and aircraft were in place and fully operational within one week of receiving of the deployment order. During this time, the E-3 TCG rendered support for two NATO aircraft. One NATO aircraft sustained fillet flap and cove door damage. The Engineering and Technical Section was called upon to help assess damage, identify possible causes and assist with part repair and replacement. The TCG spearheaded and coordinated the effort that followed, which involved several organizations. TCG engineering support was available on-call throughout the repairs. The aircraft was restored to operational capability within twelve days, a commendable accomplishment considering the degree of logistics and funding that was required. The second NATO aircraft sustained damage to an aerial refueling door. Again the TCG assessed the damage and provided a recommended engineering disposition which resulted in successful repairs. These critical assets were returned to service in minimum time for successful contribution to the counter terrorism mission.

C/KC-135 Technical Coordination Group

The Boeing Company's model 367-80 was the basic design for the commercial 707 passenger plane as well as the KC-135A Stratotanker. In 1954 the Air Force purchased the first twenty-nine of its future 732-plane fleet. The first aircraft flew in August 1956 and the initial production Stratotanker was delivered to Castle Air Force Base, California, in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.

Both Turkey and France originally leased KC-135 aircraft from the USAF. In December 1994, Turkey signed the LOA to acquire seven KC-135 aircraft; France signed in January 1995 to purchase five, in addition to eleven (C-135FR) they had previously acquired by direct commercial contract. They did not exercise the option to purchase the last two aircraft, and took delivery of three KC-135R aircraft. Singapore came on line in July 1996 with their LOA for purchase of four KC- 135 aircraft.