Base chalks up second black letter flight in 3 months

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (USTCNS) --- The 89th Airlift Wing's C-9C tail-number 73-1683 launched out for what appeared to be a standard training mission last month.

However, this mission was special and it was one few Air Force and flightline personnel have the chance to witness during their careers.

That day, 73-1683 flew a black letter initial flight -- a rare occasion for any Air Force aircraft. However, this is the second aircraft to accomplish this in the 89th Aircraft Generation Squadron in three months.

This time around it was on a 27 year-old C-9C executive transport aircraft.

A black letter initial flight indicates there are no problems or discrepancies with any of the thousands of parts on the aircraft.

"Simple things such as a broken window shade, replacement light bulbs on order or a routine inspection due can mean the aircraft is flying with discrepancies," said Staff Sgt. Derrick Siemieniak, a crew chief with the 89th Aircraft Generation Squadron.

While Siemieniak initialed the Air Force Form 781H declaring the aircraft 'discrepancy free, he paused for a moment to reflect on the significance of what he and the rest of 1683's crew had accomplished. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Gilday, primary crew chief, was TDY to the NCO Academy.

Staff Sgt's Arthur Muzzillo and Ronald Sprosty and Tech. Sgt. Randall Hughes are also members of the five-person crew from 89 AGS responsible for the achievement.

In addition to the five-member crew, this achievement could not have happened without the help and vigilance of the 89 AGS Sortie Generation Flight C-Section. Without their attention to detail in properly documenting all discrepancies, this event could not have happened.

The achievement comes at a time when the workload has increased for the 89 AGS, due to the increase in travel to support the recent elections.

The efforts were most recently recognized by Brig. Gen. James A. Hawkins, 89th Airlift Wing commander. Each of the technicians received wing and respective commanders coin of excellence. (FROM CAPITAL FLYER).