FOD free or go home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Blake Gonzales
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

For most, general safety procedures are common place and incorporated amidst the daily work routine. However, there’s one position that makes safety not only the routine, but the priority.

Among the regular operations that keep the flight line busy, there’s an extra pair of eyes scanning the pavement for anything out of the ordinary. This job is simple, but necessary, as the lasting repercussions are too important to be ignored.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Curtis Skaggs is the 355th Wing’s foreign object debris manager. He’s responsible for reporting and removing any loose objects on Davis-Monthan’s flight line that could potentially damage passing aircraft or other equipment. He also inspects the pavement for damage, tracks dropped objects and locates any other hazards that could affect flying operations.

“One FOD incident here could potentially have adverse effects downrange,” said Skaggs. “If there happens to be a FOD incident, myself, along with Wing Safety, will conduct an investigation if the incident warrants it.”

FOD is a critical threat within the maintenance community, but particularly hazardous when dealing with aircraft engines.

“The FOD manager acts as a detective at times and may perform Failure Analysis Service Technology (FAST) tests to determine what caused a FOD incident,” said Tech. Sgt. Marc Bates, 355th Component Maintenance Squadron TF-34 section chief. “The FOD manager is an essential component to ensure proper steps are taken to produce the highest quality aircraft engines while eliminating this deadly hazard.”   

Skaggs has a large area of responsibility, an area that almost all the squadrons on base have a hand in.

“Not only do I work with the nine different flying units we have on the flight line, but also with the back shops that support them,” said Skaggs. “I coordinate with everybody who uses this airfield.”

Skaggs isn’t alone in his commitment to keep the flight line clean. Additionally, he works with FOD monitors who maintain FOD prevention at the squadron level, hosts foreign object prevention training and organizes annual FOD walks.

“FOD walks are a necessary part of everyday life for a maintainer,” said Skaggs. “I ensure that everyone knows the importance of FOD prevention and that we all do our part in mitigating preventable mishaps.”

FOD prevention is vital at Davis-Monthan, not only for all the aircraft stationed here, but all the transient aircraft that pass through from other bases. Skaggs keeps Davis-Monthan’s flight line clean to protect the Air Force’s assets both in the cockpit and on the pavement. It’s his attention to detail, to even the smallest hazards, that prevent unnecessary damage to aircraft and injury.

“FOD prevention is a state of mind,” said Skaggs. “It’s not allowing the proper order of things to get out of order.  We all must have a ‘pick it up’ attitude and work together toward a FOD-free environment.”