Echelon on 5 February 1958.
This unit was established as a focal peint to
correlate the overall maintenance effort.
This unit mintaired current
status of aircraft, aircraft ground support equipment, scheduled rainten-
ance specialists and controlled flow of work inte Field Maintenance Shops.
In addition, priority requisitions were validated in those instances
where the required item was not in local stcecks.
The methods and pro-
cedures employed insurei the most effective and efficient utilization
of personnel and equipment throughout the entire operation.
The Element Maintenance activities performed the specific functions
of directly supervising and performing maintenance to the aircraft and
other equipment.
Section C - Aircraft Mairtenance
All organizaticnal maintenance and some of the field maintenance
was accomplished in the open.
The single existing hangar was used as an
aircraft repair facility to the maximum extent practicable
It was,
however necessary to provide ten (10) 20X40 portable buildings to
satisfy minimum shop, supply and technical adrinistrative, requirerents.
The hangar and detached smaller buildings provided ninirum inside
space to accommodate base shops.
Salt water corrosion presented a continuing problem in the EPG.
A vigorous corrosion control progran, including frequent fresh water
washing, was practiced on all aircraft.
not eliminate salt water corrosion.
This program retarded but did
There were many and varied air-
craft malfunctions directly attributable to corrosion, although a
significant effort was expended to minimumize corrosion effects.
During the entire operation there were forty-four (44) reciprocating
engires and seventeen (17) jet ergine changes.
The number of engine
cx
179
APWEI/RO
Cc
changes were well within proportion to hours flown.