Dyess approaches 1,000 days FOD free

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Bomb Wing is in a constant battle to eliminate foreign object debris from the flight line, and is winning, with more than 975 consecutive days of FOD-free incidents.

FOD is any substance, debris or article alien to a vehicle or system which can cause significant damage.

"This is a very significant milestone," said Master Sgt. Jonathan Smith, 7th Bomb Wing FOD manager. "This is the first time this has ever happened here; the B-1 has had a history of FOD issues."

Examples of FOD are aircraft parts, rocks, broken pavement, ramp equipment, tools, bolts and vehicle parts. The effects of FOD not only affect aircraft, it also affects personnel, vehicles and the Air Force budget.

"Keeping the flight line clear of FOD is a total team effort," Smith said. "Things we do to minimize FOD are monthly base-wide FOD walks, handing out awards, such as "FOD Fighter of the Month," using the FOD BOSS, Sweeper, FOD check points and the FOD Finder Radar Truck."

There is also an incentive in place where if an Airman finds the "golden bolt" during the FOD walk, they get a day off.

The B-1 has a higher probability of FOD damage because the two jet engines under each wing are so close together and low to the ground, said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Pauls, 7th Bomb Wing assistant FOD manager. All the air is being sucked in along with pebbles and debris.

Dyess hasn't had a major FOD incident since 2009, where FOD repairs reached over $1 million.

"We've been really good at catching big FOD items over the last couple of years," Smith said. "The Airmen are doing their part by ensuring they have great housekeeping, making sure tools and parts are picked up before shift change."