For the first time in 15 years, maintainers at Robins AFB, Ga., are fitting an F-15E with a new rear half. Last August, during a training exercise near Shaw AFB, S.C., this Strike Eagle’s left engine ingested a bird, which led to a major fire that severely damaged the aircraft. A team from Robins’ 402nd Maintenance Wing traveled to Shaw and partly disassembled the aircraft for shipment to Robins. The Aerospace Sustainment Directorate at Robins managed to acquire the last-available F-15E replacement aft fuselage section in the US inventory. Robins maintainers have already modified the fuselage section so that it can fit the engine type that the F-15Es operate at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., the damaged aircraft’s home station. The repair work began in January is expected to be completed in December. (Robins report by Wayne Crenshaw)
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