TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFMCNS) -- Normally, the acronym FOD, or foreign object damage, when used in the same context with military jet engines is not a good thing. But in the Oklahoma City Air Logistic Center's most recent case, it is.
Sept. 9 marked a significant milestone for the 76th Maintenance Wing, as the date signified the one-year anniversary since the last "chargeable" FOD incident occurred in the wing. Oklahoma City ALC is part of Air Force Materiel Command, which provides the Air Force with war-fighting capabilities on time and on cost. AFMC is headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
"Recording zero chargeable FOD incidents in a year is a significant achievement for the maintenance wing and Tinker Air Force Base," said Brig. Gen. Frank Bruno, 76th Maintenance Wing commander.
Chargeable FOD rates are determined by using a formula to ascertain if the incident is first "preventable," and second, the total cost of material and labor required to repair the damage exceeds $20,000.
Tinker officials said the ingenuity and diligence of maintenance personnel has paid off in recent years and examples of FOD prevention can be seen across the wing.
Preventable FOD is caused by circumstances within the maintenance worker's control and generally includes damage caused by uncontrolled hardware, tools, rags, etc.
Non-preventable FOD is caused by circumstances beyond a maintenance worker's control and might include damage caused by bird strikes, material failure, hail, etc. However, it is easier to define a non-preventable FOD incident.