CORPUS CHRISTI ARMY DEPOT, Texas-- The U.S. Army’s Aviation Ground Power Unit is a mobile servicing platform that delivers electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic power to rotary-wing aircraft during ground maintenance. Corpus Christi Army Depot responded rapidly, when a CH-47 Chinook supporting U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in McAllen, Texas, was grounded due to hydraulic failure, specifically within the power transfer unit which allows ground checkout of the flight control systems with the rotors stopped. Leveraging one of its AGPU units alongside an on-site subject matter expert, the depot delivered a swift, cost-effective solution that restored operational capability, directly enhancing both soldier readiness and mission effectiveness.
Deputy and Chief Operations Officer Rod Benson said, “At Corpus Christi Army Depot, we have a saying: 'We take orders, not contracts.' When we receive a directive to support the soldier, we move out immediately.”
When asked how it feels to be selected as the lead for this mission, Robert McComb, an electronic integrated systems work leader, said, “Just another day at work.”
AGPU delivers AC/DC electrical power, pneumatic air start pressure, and hydraulic pressure directly platforms like the CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache benefit as AGPUs allow maintainers to service aircraft without running the helicopter’s main engines. The AGPU can be towed and is air transportable.
“As part of the Army’s own arsenal of tools and resources, CCAD remains fully committed to enhancing warfighter lethality and ensuring our troops have the equipment they need to dominate on the battlefield, both in the homeland and abroad,” Benson said.
Proximity proved decisive in expediting the repair. Located just an hour's flight from McAllen, Texas, with logistical collaboration with the customer, CCAD was able to deliver AGPU in a fraction of the time needed by other garrisons in Texas. For instance, transporting the aviation ground power unit from McAllen to its home unit at Fort Bliss typically requires a 4‑hour and 35‑minute flight, plus two fuel stops lasting about an hour each, bringing the one‑way total to 6 hours and 35 minutes. In contrast, moving the AGPU to CCAD is significantly faster, requiring only about an hour for loading and fueling before departure. The round-trip process takes roughly two hours, demonstrating a much more efficient turnaround.
In preparing for the mission, assembling a mobilization team and securing the necessary permissions take time, Directorate of Manufacturing and Process Production Roberto Rodriguez said, “While other mobilization and transport efforts can take five to seven days, CCAD answered the Warfighter’s call overnight by deploying an Aviation Ground Power Unit and an on‑site expert.”
This would have resulted in at least an additional day of non-mission capable downtime. Coupled with the logistical delays of returning equipment to these distant bases. CCAD's rapid turnaround ensured the aircraft was returned to operational readiness without compromising critical border security missions.
“CCAD bypassed days of logistical delays to restore the aircraft to flyable status in less than 24 hours. Thanks to this swift, agile response, the unit was able to safely return to its home station for final repairs,” Rodriguez said.
Maintenance Support Branch 1 Chief Gary Willis said: "To me, the real story of this support mission is the reputation we’ve built with these units, that when CCAD says, 'We keep the Army flying,' we mean it. I think this goes a long way for these Soldiers, who may ultimately be in a position to send their aircraft to us for repairs."
Since losing the Logistics Assistance Representative, which is a technical subject matter expert who troubleshoot complex electronic, mechanical, or aviation systems, McComb stepped in to fill that gap. His background includes 20 years at CCAD and 20 years serving in the United States Navy, he took the initiative to master the AGPU, which previously sat underutilized. By getting up to speed quickly, he enabled the depot to resolve technical issues independently and quickly furthering value to the U.S. Army.
When asked why the mission mattered, McComb emphasized that with the National Guard’s work completed, returning these reservists home was an essential priority and completed his mission in less than 24 hours.
Willis said, “As the commercials remind us, you have a choice in where you send your aircraft for repair, and we want to earn that business. Ultimately, it comes down to customer service.”
CCAD enhances warfighter readiness by combining military precision with technical excellence, delivering the operational endurance needed to sustain the close fight without interruption.
Social Sharing