I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e

Pacific Air Forces

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EP-3 Recovery

Mr. Ross Higa

HQ PACAF/CECI

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Background

CE Mission: Document pavement degradation from AN-124 traffic US responsible for pavement damage

Chinese tried, but could not “run up the bill”

Airfield designed for fighter aircraft Narrow taxiways, small aprons Limited pavement bearing strength

AN-124 has higher damage potential than C-5 Five AN-124 flights (first and last were heaviest) Cargo weight and fuel strictly controlled to avoid damage

First AN-124 arrived 16 Jun 01 to start recovery operations - completed 3 Jul 01

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Logistics and Security

Lodged at Gloria Resort Hotel in Sanya U.S. manager assisted in logistical support One hour bus ride to/from Lingshui Air Base Left hotel 0630, returned 1830

Operations kept low key Minimal news coverage Photographers and reporters kept away from

hotel and base Police stationed along route to Lingshui Exception: Numerous guests/photographers

on base during fuselage loading

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Lingshui (Naval) Air Base, Hainan Island, People's

Republic of ChinaEP-3

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EP-3 and AN-124

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Crew members guided the AN-124 on narrow taxiways and through tight turns

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Kneeling AN -124 - Load bearing points on the pavement were closely monitored

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The airfield already had existing defects

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Working Conditions

Lockheed Martin was well prepared Chartered Gulfstream IV on standby at Sanya

Airport for evacuation Physician on team - local hospitals inadequate

Temperatures reached 107 deg F with high humidity Heat stress encountered early on Administered medication as needed

Daily safety meetings - no injuries incurred Local contracts for work trailers, water,

transportation, meals, toilets, generator, etc. Cell phones with international capability

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People's Liberation Army

PLA Navy monitored operations closely Continuous photography and video taping of

work and people U.S. workers restricted from crossing rope

barriers Routine review of photos and video taken by U.S. End of day meetings held to recap day's events

and resolve issues Key project officers from Beijing; not Lingshui

Non-threatening, but many "home turf" rules

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Three jack stands supported the aircraft during underside disassembly work

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Blowers vented residual fuel before cutting operations could begin

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A safety line was installed for topside work

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Flaps, ailerons and leading edges were salvaged

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Tail section was cut off the fuselage

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Key components were salvaged

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Four engines were removed in one day

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Gas powered saws were used to cut and remove the wings in sections

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Scrapped parts were also taken to Kadena on the AN-124

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Main and nose gears were removed when rain halted wing cutting operations

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A specially made trailer was jacked up to support the aircraft

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EP-3 rested solely on the raised trailer after the jack stands were removed

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Interior pipes and cables were pre-cut to facilitate removal of wing sections

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Nacelles were salvaged

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The AN-124 was "cubed out" on almost every return flight

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“You Call – We Haul”

Lockheed and Russian crews "busted butts" to load same-day turnaround flights

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Bridge cranes were used to load from the rear

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A centerline marker was laid out to help align the

AN-124 to the EP-3

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The AN-124 hit the mark perfectly

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The AN-124 used portable extension ramps to reduce the incline

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Steel cables from the cargo bay were attached to the trailer

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Winches pulled the fuselage into the cargo bay

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The wide wheels and narrow ramps left no room for error

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The fuselage and trailer cleared by a few inches

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The portable ramps were disassembled and loaded onto the AN-124

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The Russian crew

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After a refueling stop in the Philippines and crew rest in Hawaii, the fuselage was welcomed home at Dobbins ARB, GA (home

of Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Co.)

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Additional Information

Additional Information and photos can be found on the PACOM website at:

http://www.pacom.mil/pages/ep3photos.htm