TO 35-1-3 - Robins Air Force Base
TO 35-1-3 - Robins Air Force Base
TO 35-1-3 - Robins Air Force Base
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<strong>TO</strong> <strong>35</strong>-1-3<br />
CHAPTER 7<br />
SOUTHWEST ASIA OPERATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS<br />
7.1 GENERAL.<br />
The Southwest Asia (SWA) Area of Responsibility (AOR)<br />
consists of various regions from Afghanistan to South Africa<br />
(Figure 7-1). The environmental conditions range from seasonal<br />
high winds and high humidity to arid areas and low<br />
winds. In many locations, there are negatively charged ions<br />
called anions in soils which when combined with aggressive<br />
sand storms, can spread through SWA. The degree that sand<br />
and dust can penetrate equipment is dependent on many variables<br />
such as wind speed and direction, size of the dust/sand<br />
particles, protective shelter availability, and condition of the<br />
equipment, such as deteriorated seals/gaskets and bent doors.<br />
7.1.1.1 Soils and Humidity. Soils exposed to high humidity<br />
in many of the operating SWA AOR locations will cause corrosion<br />
or accelerate existing corrosion growth if left in contact<br />
with metal surfaces. Even in arid areas, humidity is usually<br />
present. During daylight hours, SE stored outdoors will heat<br />
up causing expansion of panels which allows hot, moist air to<br />
migrate into enclosed areas (Figure 7-2) or under non-permeable<br />
equipment covers. When the equipment cools, the moisture<br />
condenses and combines with the fine dust/sand particles,<br />
increasing the potential for corrosion. The soluble materials in<br />
the dust/sand form a crust as they dry (Figure 7-3) making<br />
removal difficult. Anion-laden sand/dust entrapped in SE<br />
exposed to high humidity will gather in the available moisture,<br />
extract the soluble salts, and a corrosion cell could be established.<br />
These salts will appear as white streaks on SE after the<br />
water has evaporated off the units (Figure 7-3).<br />
Figure 7-2. Sand/Dust Intrusion<br />
Figure 7-1. SWA AOR<br />
7.1.1 Environmental Effects. Extensive operations in a desert<br />
can result in very fine sand and dust intrusion into SE. SE<br />
that is positioned in SWA for extended periods is more prone<br />
to exhibit significant corrosion problems. Sandstorms, which<br />
are usually seasonal, can cause sand/dust to penetrate equipment<br />
and become entrapped in inaccessible areas. During the<br />
periods of relative calm there are usually significant amounts<br />
of airborne dust, seen as a general haze, in the atmosphere.<br />
Figure 7-3. Residue from Salts Caused by<br />
Condensation<br />
Change 4 7-1