707 Variants: AWACS, Jstars, Rivet Joint

Flying Safety, Jan-Feb, 2002 by Maj Christian Dollwet

The E-3 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System)--or Sentry for you purists out there--the E-8 JSTARS (Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System) and the RC/WC-135 weapon systems each enjoyed another outstanding, safe year, with "Zero" Class A mishaps. To all of you Operators and Maintainers: Well Done!

The E-3 had no Class B mishaps and three Class C mishaps in FY01, and all of those occurred on the ground. The JSTARS had one Class B (engine) mishap--which, as of this writing, may be downgraded to a Class C mishap-- and two Class Cs. The Recce-135 family of reconnaissance aircraft (RC/WC) had no Class Bs and only 1 Class C mishap. A closer look at the Class B and C mishaps reveals no operational trends, and this is quite remarkable, considering the number of sorties, flight hours and the fact that many of the sorties took place at deployed locations.

The E-3s logged 2877 sorties (19,535 hours), the JSTARS logged 844 sorties (5574.9 hours) and the Recce-135 reconnaissance aircraft flew 1922 sorties (12,285 hours). That there were no Class A mishaps, a single Class B mishap and so few Class C mishaps, speaks incredibly well of everyone involved in flying and maintaining these airframes. It's obvious that CRM and ORM are being used--and used effectively--both in the air and on the ground.

With Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NOBLE EAGLE continuing for the foreseeable future, all of America's Armed Forces will be challenged heavily during the coming months. This is especially true for those associated with these platforms, since they personify the term "low-density/high-demand assets."

Fatigue and complacency are the mortal enemies of the Operator and Maintainer, so watch out for yourselves and for each other. I hope to report in the FY02 end-of-year summary that the surveillance/reconnaissance communities once again stood up to the challenge with no loss of life or aircraft. Keep up the safe flight operations!

Here is an "ABC Mishap Category" refresher...

* A Class A mishap is defined as a mishap resulting in one or more of the following:

* Cost of $1,000,000 or more

* A fatality or permanent total disability

* Destruction of an Air Force aircraft

* A Class B mishap is defined as a mishap resulting in one or more of the following:

* Cost ranging from $200,000 but less than $1,000,000

* A permanent partial disability

* Inpatient hospitalization of three or more personnel

* A Class C mishap is defined as a mishap resulting in one or more of the following:

* Reportable damage between $20,000 and $200,000

* An injury resulting in a lost workday case involving 8 hours or more away from work beyond the day or shift on which it occurred; or an occupational illness that causes loss of time from work at any time