At Yokota Air Base, keeping a C-130J clean can be a Herculean task

Staff Sgt. Alexander Young holds a panel on a C-130J Super Hercules as Senior Airman Mark Kelly prepares the aircraft for a wash at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on March 21, 2019. THERON GODBOLD/STARS AND STRIPES
Staff Sgt. Alexander Young holds a panel on a C-130J Super Hercules as Senior Airman Mark Kelly prepares the aircraft for a wash at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on March 21, 2019. THERON GODBOLD/STARS AND STRIPES

At Yokota Air Base, keeping a C-130J clean can be a Herculean task

by Theron Godbold
Stars and Stripes

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Japanese contractors and members of the Air Force’s 374th Maintenance Squadron are no strangers to getting their feet wet.

With 14 C130-J Super Hercules transport planes assigned to Yokota, along with UH-1 helicopters, CV-22 Ospreys and other aircraft, the wash rack can be a busy place.

Keeping those Super Hercules clean is a 1½-daylong job. Starting in the early morning hours, mid-shift airmen prepare the massive aircraft for its cleanup. The maintainers responsible for prepping the birds said safety is their first priority.

They lower the wing flaps, remove access panels and disconnect the batteries, among other precautions.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/1.578045

Subscribe to our Stripes Pacific newsletter and receive amazing travel stories, great event info, cultural information, interesting lifestyle articles and more directly in your inbox!

Follow us on social media!

Facebook: Stars and Stripes Pacific
Flipboard: Stars and Stripes Community Sites

Looking to travel while stationed abroad? Check out our other Pacific community sites!
Stripes Okinawa
Stripes Korea
Stripes Guam

Recommended Content

Around the Web