SIGONELLA, Italy –
Work Center 110 (Powerplants) from the ‘Mad Foxes’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 performed the first ever P-8A Poseidon engine change while on deployment Jan. 19, 2018. VP-5 performed this engine change following troubleshooting after a malfunction led to a single-engine landing while conducting training at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Derrick Claywell led the charge on the swap of the turbofan engine.. Aviation Machinist’s Mates are the Navy’s most qualified aircraft engine mechanics. They are responsible for servicing and performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on the P-8A’s engines for VP-5.
The‘Mad Fox maintenance team was monitored by the P-8A Fleet Support Team (FST) from Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), based in Jacksonville, Florida. The FST was flown in the day prior to the engine change to ensure all maintenance actions were handled with proper protocol and provide any assistance if needed.
The ‘Mad Fox’ Powerplants branch performed the engine change like true professionals. It’s the daily efforts of these dedicated sailors that assist in sharpening their technical skills and allow them to become masters in their rate. The outcome was a successful engine change and the subsequent first flight went as scheduled, with no engine problems.
The aircraft is back in service and currently flying missions for the Mad Foxes’ deployment to Sigonella.
“Work Center 110 really showed everyone how maintenance is done today,” said Claywell. “Everyone did what needed to be done, and communication was on point. I never doubted this would be a quick evolution, and I wouldn’t want any other Work Center to change an engine with.”