EP-3 Recovery

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EP-3 Recovery

• Mr. Ross Higa
• HQ PACAF/CECI

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Background

• CE Mission Document pavement degradation from
  AN-124 traffic
• US responsible for pavement damage
• Chinese tried, but could not run up the bill
• Airfield designed for fighter aircraft
• Narrow taxiways, small aprons
• Limited pavement bearing strength
• AN-124 has higher damage potential than C-5
• Five AN-124 flights (first and last were
  heaviest)
• Cargo weight and fuel strictly controlled to
  avoid damage
• First AN-124 arrived 16 Jun 01 to start recovery
  operations - completed 3 Jul 01

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Logistics and Security

• Lodged at Gloria Resort Hotel in Sanya
• U.S. manager assisted in logistical support
• One hour bus ride to/from Lingshui Air Base
• Left hotel 0630, returned 1830
• Operations kept low key
• Minimal news coverage
• Photographers and reporters kept away from hotel
  and base
• Police stationed along route to Lingshui
• Exception Numerous guests/photographers on base
  during fuselage loading

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Lingshui (Naval) Air Base, Hainan Island,
People's Republic of China
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EP-3 and AN-124
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Crew members guided the AN-124 on narrow taxiways
and through tight turns
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Kneeling AN -124 - Load bearing points on the
pavement were closely monitored
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The airfield already had existing defects
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Working Conditions

• Lockheed Martin was well prepared
• Chartered Gulfstream IV on standby at Sanya
  Airport for evacuation
• Physician on team - local hospitals inadequate
• Temperatures reached 107 deg F with high humidity
• Heat stress encountered early on
• Administered medication as needed
• Daily safety meetings - no injuries incurred
• Local contracts for work trailers, water,
  transportation, meals, toilets, generator, etc.
• Cell phones with international capability

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People's Liberation Army

• PLA Navy monitored operations closely
• Continuous photography and video taping of work
  and people
• U.S. workers restricted from crossing rope
  barriers
• Routine review of photos and video taken by U.S.
• End of day meetings held to recap day's events
  and resolve issues
• Key project officers from Beijing not Lingshui
• Non-threatening, but many "home turf" rules

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Three jack stands supported the aircraft during
underside disassembly work
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Blowers vented residual fuel before cutting
operations could begin
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A safety line was installed for topside work
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Flaps, ailerons and leading edges were salvaged
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Tail section was cut off the fuselage
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Key components were salvaged
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Four engines were removed in one day
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Gas powered saws were used to cut and remove the
wings in sections
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Scrapped parts were also taken to Kadena on the
AN-124
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Main and nose gears were removed when rain halted
wing cutting operations
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A specially made trailer was jacked up to support
the aircraft
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EP-3 rested solely on the raised trailer after
the jack stands were removed
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Interior pipes and cables were pre-cut to
facilitate removal of wing sections
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Nacelles were salvaged
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The AN-124 was "cubed out" on almost every return
flight
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Lockheed and Russian crews "busted butts" to load
same-day turnaround flights
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Bridge cranes were used to load from the rear
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A centerline marker was laid out to help align
the AN-124 to the EP-3
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The AN-124 hit the mark perfectly
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The AN-124 used portable extension ramps to
reduce the incline
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Steel cables from the cargo bay were attached to
the trailer
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Winches pulled the fuselage into the cargo bay
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The wide wheels and narrow ramps left no room for
error
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The fuselage and trailer cleared by a few inches
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The portable ramps were disassembled and loaded
onto the AN-124
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The Russian crew
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After a refueling stop in the Philippines and
crew rest in Hawaii, the fuselage was welcomed
home at Dobbins ARB, GA (home of Lockheed Martin
Aeronautical Systems Co.)
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Additional Information

• Additional Information and photos can be found on
  the PACOM website at
• http//www.pacom.mil/ep3photos.htm
• http//www.pacom.mil/ep3.htm