HSL51 maintains helicopters while supporting Operation Tomodachi

US Navy

28 Mar, 11

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – Sailors attached to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 51 performed routine maintenance on the squadron’s SH-60B/F helicopters, March 27, 2011 at the squadron’s temporary home, here.

The sailors, who normally operate from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, are performing the maintenance to ensure that the helicopters stay capable of performing the rigorous tasking the squadron receives in support of Operation Tomodachi.

“Maintenance is an ongoing need,” said Chief Petty Officer Andrew Clay, aviation electronics technician, attached to HSL 51’s maintenance control department. “We have to do maintenance, and we’re supporting the humanitarian assistance effort. We’re getting into a routine now as everything returns a little bit back to normal.”

HSL-51 relocated to Naval Air Facility Misawa after the March 11, 2011 earthquake that caused a devastating tsunami on Japan’s eastern coast.

“It was chaotic at first, but we plan for these situations,” said Clay, a native of Ironton, Ohio. “We went from training and routine work, to assisting with a humanitarian and disaster relief effort.”

For the first time since arriving in Misawa, HSL 51 was able to perform a strictly routine maintenance flight. The functional check flight is performed after a helicopter has received service in the shop. This is done to make sure the helicopter functions as needed.

“After 175 hours of flight time we must inspect the helicopters,” continued Clay. “Once the helicopter is inspected, we conduct the FCF. We make sure that everything is functional, that the helo has no excessive vibrations.”

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

Tags: Japan, Military, News, SH-60B, Sikorsky, US Navy