WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- The Wing-wide FOD walk was held on June 4, and Airmen from Westover participated in the flight line event. The goal was to find Foreign Object Debris that could cause Foreign Object Damage, both go by the acronym FOD.
FOD is a hazard to aircraft most notably the Jet engines. There is a long list of FOD items that can cause damage to aircraft, it includes pens, tools, aircraft hardware, and environmental debris such as pebbles.
“A turnout of over 500 walkers participated and picked up a decent amount of FOD, even in the rain,” said MSgt. Henry Talbot, 439th Maintenance Group, Quality Assurance Inspector. Three maintainers found the Golden Bolts and each received an Eagle Eye Award. The winners were TSgt. Carl Nestor and SrA Jackeline Cano, both from the 439th Maintenance Squadron and SrA Matthew Dougherty, a 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron member.
The Golden Bolt is part of the FOD Safety incentive program. The Galaxy Community Council donated gift certificates to the eagle-eyed Airmen.
“The June Wing-wide FOD was a success, we will be doing the next one in the following quarter,” Talbot concluded.