Weapons Safety Award of Distinction

SSgt Bradford Gilley and AIC Richard Jackson discovered a broken P-1 gun connector while performing routine safe for maintenance procedures on an F-15 gun system that had returned from a gun mission. Further investigation revealed sheared bolt heads on both mounting bolts that secured the firing contact to the gun housing, allowing the firing lead to swing freely with the firing contact attached. They also noted the gun system would not rotate and immediately up-channeled a ground emergency. Sergeant Gilley ensured Armament Flight and Rapid Response team personnel were dispatched to the scene. A more thorough examination revealed a 20 millimeter round casing was split into two pieces around its circumference with the breech bolt and casing in the forward firing cam path at about the 7 o'clock or firing position. Later analysis determined this round fired prematurely, causing the gun to jam due to stress on the breech bolt in the unlocked position. Ensuring all safety precautions were taken. Sergeant Gilley and Airmen Jackson and Charles Gilbert removed the gun from the aircraft. Along with Armament back shop technicians' assistance, they disassembled the gun housing to facilitate removal of three live 20 millimeter ammunition rounds. The gun was then taken to the Armament Flight for further inspection. The unfailing dedication of SSgt Gilley, A1C Jackson and SrA Gilbert to safety and their strict adherence to Air Force directives and manuals averted the potential for further damage to equipment and critical wing assets.

SSgt Bradford C. Gilley, AIC Richard L. Jackson, SrA Charles S. Gilbert, 33rd Aircraft Maint. Squdn., 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida

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