Polyester straps ease move of helicopters overseas.

It will be easier for Warfighter task forces to deploy overseas in the future--thanks to two MTMC Transportation Engineering Agency engineers.

Because of the work of Jennifer Napiecek and Sharon Huff, helicopters being shipped overseas may now be tied down with polyester straps.

The polyester straps have a lot going for them. They are more available and economical. And unlike similar restraints, the polyester straps do not stretch under tension and do not lose strength when wet.

Even better, the straps will now be supplied by MTMC port units--easing the requirements on deploying military units.

"This new policy was established to standardize the lashing gear used for the marine movement of helicopters," said Napiecek.

"Polyester straps, when equipped with a wire hook on one end, have the added advantage of being able to interface nicely with the cloverleaves and ISO fittings on ship's decks."

The new strap policy was formally adopted Feb. 2, with the issuance of Fragmentation Order 01-01.

The proper restraint for helicopters has been an issue in recent MTMC shipments. The change for maritime transport was approved by the Aviation & Missile Command.

"Current procedures required the use of an MB-1 chain restraint device that was both costly and not readily available," said Huff.

The two Newport News, Va., engineers got to see their work in practice Feb. 15.

Napiecek and Huff observed the loading of a peacekeeping task force for Bosnia in Savannah, Ga.--the first time helicopters were transported under the new polyester strap order.

In total, 16 OH-58 Kiowa and 19 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., were loaded on the MV Saudi Diriyah.

Two days before the operation, Napiecek and Huff had found that the helicopters were already shrink-wrapped and ready to be loaded.

However, a complication developed. Because the Kiowa helicopters were equipped with the Rapid Deployment Landing Gear, they could be secured using the four tie-downs at the top of the strut legs. However, this procedure only secured the skids to the deck, not the main airframe.

A brigade unit movement officer, Chief Warrant Officer Jim Israel, told the engineers that his unit had been wrapping straps around the Universal Weapons' Pylons to add more restraint to the airframe.

Although it was not a published procedure in the Kiowa shipping manual, Napiecek and Huff thought this sounded like a good approach to the problem.

They quickly coordinated with the Aviation & Missile Command and received the necessary approval.

"The whole experience is another example of the vital teamwork between the Department of Defense and its industry partners," said Huff.

The electronic version of MTMCTEA 98-55-21--available at www.tea.army.mil/dpe/pdf/helo.pdf -- has been updated to incorporate the use of polyester straps as a suitable tie-down material.

Also, because the strength of polyester straps is comparable to that of MB-1 chains, they may be substituted, one for one, when using the existing tie-down configurations shown in MTMCTEA Reference 98-55-21, "Lifting and Tie-down of U.S. Military Helicopters for Marine Transport."