Ramstein flightline undergoes rubber removal

A local contracting company has helped make the Ramstein flightline a safer place from Monday to today.

The tool they use is a truck that blasts away excess rubber buildup from a runway surface with water at a pressure measuring at almost 40,600 psi. In comparison, a water-jet that cuts through steel registers at a pressure just a little more than 40,000 psi.

The excess rubber buildup is a byproduct of the constant flow of air traffic at Ramstein.

“When aircraft land and takeoff, they leave rubber residue from the tires that eventually starts to cover the painted lines on the runway,” said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Heck, 86th Operations Support Squadron NCOIC of Airfield Management Operations. “The buildup of rubber also causes the risk of hydroplaning if not properly managed.”

Heck’s duty is to make sure the cleaning process does no damage to the runway and that the job is done correctly. Heck said the constant buildup of residue can become a safety hazard for aircraft and passengers if the runways are not regularly maintained.

“Essentially, not taking care of the rubber would lead to us not being able to land our planes,” Heck said. “That alone (would prevent) us from completing our mission.”

With 75 to 150 takeoffs and landings a day, the process of rubber removal must be completed annually.

“Normally, the rubber removal times are coordinated several months before the actual event takes place,” said Tech. Sgt. Grady Black, 86th OSS control tower watch supervisor. “This allows for minimal delay in our daily operations.”

Although daily operations are uninterrupted, preplanned taxi routes ensure Ramstein’s mission is not delayed.

Heck enjoys making sure the overall mission of getting planes in the air is completed, she said.

“It feels great to know that I have a direct impact on the mission,” she said. “I get to help in ensuring the mission is completed, and I love that.”

Strate Wasserhochdrucktechnik uses trucks equipped with an electronic power supply, a vacuum system and a hydrostatic drive, allowing the vehicle to move at an extremely slow speed. The slow speed is needed to achieve a near-perfect rubber and paint removal.

These vehicles are equipped with only a 3-foot-wide surface area for rubber removal, making the process slow. While it moves, another vehicle moves alongside it attached by a hose and collects the rubber debris.