16 JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, May 27, 2010 FRCSE: Two S-3s still in process of being refurbished for new mission From Page 1 and sand intrusion," he said. "The aircraft was torn down to basically noth- ing. We did a lot of hard research to find the right parts." The S-3 Overhaul and Repair Supervisor James Hines said aircraft mechan- ics with S-3 experience were hired, and the team had to procure the tooling and fixtures needed to start the project. "I've got a good crew," he said, "and they really know what they're doing." FRCSE S-3 Program Manager Tony Pudoff said the Viking was in worse shape than expected. Yet, the team overcame the many obstacles they faced along the way. "I attribute the qual- ity of work to our artisans and especially the great work performed by our final paint shop," said Pudoff. "Requests for the aircraft as a static display and for a fly-by were made before the engines could cool down in California." Pudoff said old timers in the S-3 community like FRCSE Integrated Maintenance Program Coordinator Harry Mattox and FRCSE S-3 Planner and Estimator Don Lockwood agree it is the best looking S-3 they've ever seen. Lockwood worked close- ly with the squadron to ensure the paint scheme was to their liking. "We retained the original high-gloss grey and white paint scheme, but we added the black lettering and yel- low trim and the squad- ron's emblem on the tail," he said. Mattox, a self-professed jack-of-all-trades, knows the Viking inside and out. He was serving as a Navy maintenance master chief petty officer in 1973 when Lockheed turned over the aircraft for testing. "I love this airplane and I want to see the program succeed," he said. "Overall, the first aircraft was fan- tastic, and we are going to make the second and third one even better. They (VX- 30) are going to have a really good product over the long haul." In a message to the S-3 team the following day, VX-30 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Stephen Tedford praised the NAVAIR and Photos by Vic Pitts Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Structural Mechanic Alvin Lee Jones cleans sand from the wing of a Viking used by the VS-22 Checkmates in Iraq prior to induction for planned maintenance. F 1.. r Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Electrician Melvin Jackson (right) uses a multimeter to check coaxial cable lines, while Non- Destructive Inspector Pete Bethley inspects the main landing gear of an S-3B Viking. MILITARY FINANCING Come Get Your System Today!!t CAR STEREO WINDOW TINT AUDIO DESIGNS Scaisrom