WEBVTT 00:01.190 --> 00:03.810 - [Narrator] Removing the tail fin from a KC-135 00:03.810 --> 00:05.800 is not done very often. 00:05.800 --> 00:08.020 In fact, Master Sergeant Jason Otto 00:08.020 --> 00:11.490 of the 185th Air Refueling Wing Repair and Reclamation Shop 00:11.490 --> 00:14.320 says its has never been done at his home unit 00:14.320 --> 00:15.890 in Sioux City, Iowa. 00:15.890 --> 00:19.730 - [Otto] In my career, in being in the AR shop since 2003 00:19.730 --> 00:22.770 we've never done this, we were told that actually 00:22.770 --> 00:24.360 when we were going through schooling and everything 00:24.360 --> 00:26.920 for the tankers that if you see this in your career 00:26.920 --> 00:29.990 it'd be a once in your career thing. 00:29.990 --> 00:32.390 - [Narrator] Because of structural damage to the rudder, 00:32.390 --> 00:35.210 the determination was made that it would be replaced. 00:35.210 --> 00:38.490 That required that the entire 25 foot tail 00:38.490 --> 00:39.980 would need to be removed. 00:39.980 --> 00:42.230 Airman 1st Class Mark Van Voorst was tapped 00:42.230 --> 00:44.140 to help tip the tail. 00:44.140 --> 00:46.750 Van Voorst is non-prior service and only recently 00:46.750 --> 00:49.220 joined the military while in his late 30's. 00:49.220 --> 00:51.560 He said there are a lot of things to consider 00:51.560 --> 00:53.754 before tackling a job this large. 00:53.754 --> 00:56.050 - [Van Voorst] Just the sheer size of it. 00:56.050 --> 00:57.520 - [Narrator] While new to the military, 00:57.520 --> 01:00.080 Van Voorst said his age and civilian experience 01:00.080 --> 01:02.870 allowed him some competence when confronting the giant 01:02.870 --> 01:03.980 for the first time. 01:03.980 --> 01:06.800 - [Van Voorst] You needed to be, good situational awareness 01:06.800 --> 01:08.250 and be aware of your surroundings 01:08.250 --> 01:10.910 and make sure to be patient, take your time 01:10.910 --> 01:12.250 and not rush it. 01:12.250 --> 01:13.360 - [Narrator] Van Voorst's supervisor, 01:13.360 --> 01:16.340 Master Sergeant Daryl Newman, said he helped remove a tail 01:16.340 --> 01:19.970 from a KC-135 once before during a deployment. 01:19.970 --> 01:21.330 Newman said that tipping the tail 01:21.330 --> 01:23.410 is an extremely unique opportunity 01:23.410 --> 01:24.913 for someone like Van Voorst. 01:24.913 --> 01:27.080 - [Newman] It's really good training for all of us. 01:27.080 --> 01:29.750 I, myself, have been doing this for 17 years 01:29.750 --> 01:33.450 and this is only the second time that we've removed a rudder 01:33.450 --> 01:34.610 or done a fin fold. 01:34.610 --> 01:36.270 To get to do something like this 01:36.270 --> 01:38.930 at the beginning of your career is amazing. 01:38.930 --> 01:41.420 - [Narrator] Not unlike an episode of Monster Garage, 01:41.420 --> 01:43.730 these KC-135 mechanics in Sioux City 01:43.730 --> 01:45.550 experienced a few setbacks, 01:45.550 --> 01:46.990 but once they had the parts they needed 01:46.990 --> 01:48.070 they were ready to go. 01:48.070 --> 01:50.500 Within just a few hours, the repaired tail 01:50.500 --> 01:52.923 was tipped back up, and the Stratotanker 01:52.923 --> 01:55.470 was airworthy once again. 01:55.470 --> 01:56.640 In Sioux City, Iowa, 01:56.640 --> 01:59.943 I'm Senior Master Sergeant Vince De Groot, Air Force News.