Roof collapses at 8th FTS

  • Published
  • By Ensign Rex Miller
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  While investigating Bldg. 179's gutters Wednesday, Feb. 4, after leaks in the ceiling were noticed in the T-6 operations desk, workers from civil engineering operations discovered that a substantial section of the retrofit metal roof had collapsed.

As soon as the collapsed roof was discovered, personnel were moved out of the affected side of the building as a precaution. Flight rooms for C and D Flight as well as the T-6 operations desk where evacuated and closed off.

The cause of the collapse has been identified as a buildup of drifting snow and ice from the storm that closed the base Jan. 28-29. Gerald Plaster and Dennis Burnett, both with CSC Applied Technologies Civil Engineering, used power lifts to gain access to the roof and clear the snow and ice. They then entered the building attic and installed jacks to repair and support the roof until permanent repairs can be made.

Chief engineer Stan Willoughby applauded the efforts of Mr. Plaster and Mr. Burnett saying, "They did a great job clearing the snow by hand and installing the jacks to support the roof."

Operations for the T-6 were moved across the breeze way to the operations desk at the 3rd Fighter Training Squadron. The transition worked seamlessly, allowing flight operations to continue. "They [3rd FTS] stepped up huge, they were a big help," said Capt. Jason Little, 8th FTS instructor pilot with E Flight and facilities manager for Bldg. 179.

Thursday, civil engineers returned to the building to check for leaks and investigate the structural integrity of the building. By mid-morning, it was determined that the building was structurally sound and the leaks in the roof had been sealed.

Students and instructors moved back into their flight rooms and normal operations resumed. Civil engineering's quick response to the leaking roof and affected spaces were repaired in less than 24 hours with no significant impact to flight operations, said Capt. Little.

Winter weather understandably continues to be a challenge for civil engineers completing the repairs. "With the weather and the heavy wet snow coming down on it again we're going to see what happens," said Capt. Little, "Right now everything is still holding."

Mr. Willoughby is confident that the repairs made to both the metal retrofit roof and underlying original roof will prevent any further problems and that operations will remain uninterrupted.