FOD walk cleans up flight line projects

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325 th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Tyndall gathered to perform a FOD walk after the completion of the Textile Braking System and Taxiway Light project on the flight line May 24.

FOD, foreign object debris, refers to the debris that if left on an airfield could be sucked into a jet engine and damage the aircraft.

"More than 300 individuals participated in the FOD walk," said Master Sgt. Dennis Harper, 325th Fighter Wing FOD prevention manager.

Overall, 186 pounds of foreign objects were picked up on the flight line.

"The new $132 thousand Textile Braking System replaces the old 'chain link' system with a new fabric 'tear away' system," said Patrick Kelly, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron program flight chief. "The system acts as the final backup barrier system to the existing barrier resting systems."

The $4 million Taxiway Light project is the first phase of a multi-phase project.

This project begins to replace the aging electrical infrastructure, which according to Mr. Kelly cannot function as needed.

"In this case, Tyndall is unable to maintain the Level 5 intensity required due to old cabling," said the program flight chief. "Once replaced, we will be able to meet this airfield lighting requirement."

Members from throughout Tyndall made the completion possible.

"Civil Engineer shop personnel, contractor inspectors, airfield operations personnel and engineers teamed up in a great effort," said Mr. Kelly. "At times, 20 plus people were working some facet of the Textile Barrier project."

Tyndall has two future airfield projects, a new airfield lighting vault and another phase of the airfield lighting upgrades, scheduled for the end of the year.