36th MXS works on fighter aircraft static display Published Oct. 12, 2007 By By Airman 1st Class Carissa Morgan 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The F-4 Phantom II static display here on Andersen is in need of some care, and the 36th Maintenance Squadron has stepped up to the task. Unfortunately, the F-4 is in a corrosive environment which requires a constant battle to keep it up, said Master Sgt. Damon Tofte, 36th MXS fabrication flight chief. The project began Sept. 10 and Guam weather can prove to be a challenge especially during the rainy season, but, weather permitting, the total job will take approximately six to eight weeks, working a normal five-day eight-hour work week. Guam's environment is one of the most corrosive due to location. The salt content in the humid atmosphere and frequent rainfall has caused corrosion to attack the metallic parts of the airframe much more aggressively than it would in a more temperate climate. And due to Guam's proximity to the equator, the sunlight is more direct and more damaging to the paint. Ultraviolet light is the leading cause of paint deterioration, said Tech. Sgt. Brian Leonard, 36th MXS. Maintenance is being performed to remove as much corrosion as possible, to repair extensively corroded areas and to generally restore the overall exterior appearance of the airframe. The maintainers plugged a large hole in the nose radome and restored the contour of that area. They have also applied sheet metal patches to the landing gear doors and re-attached loose skins on the underbelly of the aircraft. The right landing gear door was severely corroded and much of the interior structure was missing or completely unsound. Therefore, they removed the bad areas and restored the contour fit and finish using a combination of foam filler and aircraft fairing compounds. Extensive corrosion has been removed along the centerline of the underbelly. Holes will be filled in with appropriate materials and the paint restored over the surface. "We are bird proofing the aircraft to prevent small animals from entering the structure of the aircraft," said Sergeant Tofte. "Animal feces are a health risk and also promotes metal corrosion and paint deterioration." Finally, the entire F-4 will be 'scuff' sanded to promote paint adhesion and then it will be given a freshwater rinse and repainted with Mil-Spec polyurethane paint for added durability. This project is on the front burner for the 36th MXS. "Flying aircraft always take top priority, but we want to restore this aircraft's structural integrity and prevent further corrosion as quickly as possible so pedestrians can enjoy this piece of Andersen's history," said Sergeant Tofte. The F-4 was officially adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 1963 as a fighter-bomber, meaning it could engage enemy aircraft as well as ground targets. It was deployed to the Pacific Air Forces in December 1964 to support the Vietnam conflict. Andersen provided a vital refueling, support and crew rest stops for more than 3,000 F-4 Phantom II sorties deploying to and from Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Japan and Korea. The current F-4 static display arrived on Andersen in 1991, but the last F-4 Phantom II's were retired from service in 1996. Static display aircraft are posted at airbases to preserve or commemorate Air Force heritage. The F-4 preserves the historical importance of the combat missions flown by pilots and their aircraft in the Asian theater. While Andersen has never had F-4 aircraft assigned here, it has provided a bed-down location in Southeast Asia since 1947. The F-4 currently in place represents a long historical period of combat missions being flown from Andersen.