Most TRIM work is currently carried out at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas, but the Air Force approached FRCSE in August 2024 to take on part of the workload. “When the Air Force asked us if we could support working on their T-38s, our team took a hard look at it and agreed we could assist,” said Capt. Mike Windom, FRCSE commanding officer.
“The Air Force has approximately of 270 aircraft they need to perform the TRIM package on by 2030, with the goal being 50 inductions per year,” said Paul Skinner, an FRCSE business management specialist. He added that FRCSE would handle a portion of those inductions to support the Air Force’s target.
Since August 2024, more than 160 FRCSE engineers, logisticians, manufacturing experts and support staff have been preparing for the new work alongside Air Force representatives. Teams ensured the command had the necessary equipment, technical data, software and qualifications, while also visiting Air Force and NASA repair sites to observe maintenance procedures.
“During the visit to El Paso to visit the NASA facility, their sheet metal mechanics were especially helpful,” said Troy James, an FRCSE sheet metal mechanic. “They took the time to walk me through several areas of the aircraft, explain component layouts and share practical knowledge of their day-to-day work.”
Most TRIM tasks at FRCSE will be handled by artisans experienced with the F-5 Tiger II, a similar aircraft that shares some tools and support equipment with the T-38. “We discovered that while the F-5 and T-38 share similarities, they can also differ significantly, which requires us to be cautious to avoid confusion,” said Steve Clayton, FRCSE’s F-5/T-38 ground check supervisor.
In October, Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland designated FRCSE as a secondary Depot Source of Repair for the T-38, giving the command the authority to carry out the work. “There’s been a lot of work put into getting to this point,” said Skinner. “We submitted over 180 pieces of support equipment to our manufacturing and plant services departments for them to make from scratch to ensure our artisans have the right equipment. This included things such as wiring harnesses, fixtures, and installation and removal tools.”
The T-38 capability establishment team spent 15 months preparing FRCSE for the first induction, and the aircraft’s arrival marked a key milestone in that effort. FRCSE expects to receive a second aircraft later this year, with plans to expand the production line to six inductions annually.
Source: Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
