Shocking Wear and Tear' at U.S. Air Force Bases

I've been to a baker's dozen of AFBs. I've yet to see one that wasn't dripping in milcon cash. They may have a tough time selling this one, though we in the military have always done a shameful job of hiding behind the "different pots of money" argument...and that's a knife that slices all services.

One of the big issues, as I see and feel it, is that we have leaders at the mid and senior levels who grew up in the time of plenty and now find budgeting, forecasting, and making ends meet very difficult.
 
scoutpilot said:
One of the big issues, as I see and feel it, is that we have leaders at the mid and senior levels who grew up in the time of plenty and now find budgeting, forecasting, and making ends meet very difficult.
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So do you think reports like these below and the one above are BOGUS?

After more than a decade of relentless combat – a period marked by repeated deployments to the Middle East, ballooning procurement costs and cuts to defense spending – the Marine Corps’ workhorse helicopter, the CH-53E Super Stallion, is worn out and in need of serious attention.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjYtpSgs9jMAhUH1SYKHcu-AdcQFggrMAI&url=http://pilotonline.com/news/military/nation/super-stallion-helicopters-worn-out-after-years-of-war-internal/article_21ac9e27-b678-5f64-ae46-be5c33f65755.html&usg=AFQjCNGLxx2RvvUiISEU9CW-tPXev7wLZw&sig2=ayNQ-m4MgOd_Nfhq_Djm5Q

Play the vid.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi7zrLItdjMAhXJbiYKHYhqD1oQFggzMAM&url=http://dailysignal.com/2015/11/06/the-u-s-military-is-now-less-ready-to-defend-our-national-interests-than-it-has-been-for-decades/&usg=AFQjCNHcRDSgHzuVjbTmUxlpMEnzuwI3Nw&sig2=8oB2501tBkki_NIA-29v3Q


Take a look at this document and the READINESS and SCORING provided.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjg75uGuNjMAhWFSCYKHWL6BucQFggiMAE&url=http://index.heritage.org/military/2015/chapter/us-power/&usg=AFQjCNEoheTKFKf1ambUQWBN3qBZeOrFCA&sig2=T9F0hl_7zDTLaWiCkZoL4w
 
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cga82 said:
So do you think reports like these below and the one above are BOGUS?

After more than a decade of relentless combat – a period marked by repeated deployments to the Middle East, ballooning procurement costs and cuts to defense spending – the Marine Corps’ workhorse helicopter, the CH-53E Super Stallion, is worn out and in need of serious attention.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjYtpSgs9jMAhUH1SYKHcu-AdcQFggrMAI&url=http://pilotonline.com/news/military/nation/super-stallion-helicopters-worn-out-after-years-of-war-internal/article_21ac9e27-b678-5f64-ae46-be5c33f65755.html&usg=AFQjCNGLxx2RvvUiISEU9CW-tPXev7wLZw&sig2=ayNQ-m4MgOd_Nfhq_Djm5Q

Play the vid.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi7zrLItdjMAhXJbiYKHYhqD1oQFggzMAM&url=http://dailysignal.com/2015/11/06/the-u-s-military-is-now-less-ready-to-defend-our-national-interests-than-it-has-been-for-decades/&usg=AFQjCNHcRDSgHzuVjbTmUxlpMEnzuwI3Nw&sig2=8oB2501tBkki_NIA-29v3Q


Take a look at this document and the READINESS and SCORING provided.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjg75uGuNjMAhWFSCYKHWL6BucQFggiMAE&url=http://index.heritage.org/military/2015/chapter/us-power/&usg=AFQjCNEoheTKFKf1ambUQWBN3qBZeOrFCA&sig2=T9F0hl_7zDTLaWiCkZoL4w
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Your love of bolding and capitalization aside, you're talking about two very different issues here, and the difference between two services. The CH-53 is absolutely worn out. That's just a function of time. There's a saying that "metal has a memory" and you can only refurb an airframe so many times before the rate of structural element failure outpaces the ability to fix it. In this discussion, you should also note that the USMC will be acquiring 200 CH-53K airframes starting in 2018 to the tune of $25bn.

Do I think the fleets aren't aging? Nope. Do I think we spent years being payday rich and pouring budgetary dollars into things like the obscene gym at Nellis or motor pools for units that no longer exist? Yep.

Like it or not, we wore out a lot of really old airframes during the GWOT/OIF/OEF campaigns. At the same time, we put those wars on credit. Now we're having to make decisions in the confines of realistic budgets. There isn't much more to say about it, though I'm getting the idea that you really want someone to blame Obama, the F-35, or both.
 
Don't blame A-Rod for the ~$240mm+ contract.
Plain and simple the AF says no. They set rules and follow them.
They don't make due with less, A-10 folks are an exception, kind of.
The Navy has it tough, but the Marines are by far the masters of just making it happen.
Simple comparison.
F-16 squadron: 18 jets, 700 people, ~3200hrs/year flown
F-18 squadron: 11 jets, 200 people, ~3200hrs/year flown
Nomex on,
OS
 
scoutpilot said:
you're talking about two very different issues here, and the difference between two services.
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No, all DOD services with major break downs shown in all DOD services-as stated in my 1st post Here we go again. This time the Air Force.
 
scoutpilot said:
you can only refurb an airframe so many times before the rate of structural element failure outpaces the ability to fix it..
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Exactly-this is what is happening now The scavenging of parts indicates that it just about at a complete fatique and a disaster-not what our forces should ever have to endure.
 
scoutpilot said:
Do I think we spent years being payday rich and pouring budgetary dollars into things like the obscene gym at Nellis or motor pools for units that no longer exist? Yep..
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No, doubt esp the Air Force has the best bases and a waste over the years--how else would we be in a great $19 trillion and going out of sight and a $100 trillion in unpaid liabilities. But exactly tell that to forces now who are at the end of the stick.
 
scoutpilot said:
I'm getting the idea that you really want someone to blame Obama
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Well it appears that no-one is ever to be blamed. Or the great response is "I take full responsibility" and that's the end of it.

The last time I checked Obama was the Commander in Chief. The Generals and Admirals are next in line.
 
[QUOTE=" You may call it fatique, I don't know.[/QUOTE]

I do.

Take a look...


SNDiagram.gif



fracture-mechanics-failure-analysis-lecture-fatigue-4-638.jpg
 
So you wanted to set up the blame game while the forces deal with this sort of problem and worry. The bottom line is that personal are tired/poor equipment-worn out--patch job to keep em going/ lack of confidence and this didn't happen over night. Who gets the blame and how does this get corrected?
 
Engines being run past their hours limits because there is no inventory...besides, the waiver says they are "strong and reliable."

Other parts had to be bought from Germany, because no US maker produces them anymore.

Tell me again how many aircraft you flew (and are still on the line) that served in Vietnam.
 
raimius said:
Engines being run past their hours limits because there is no inventory...besides, the waiver says they are "strong and reliable."

Other parts had to be bought from Germany, because no US maker produces them anymore.

Tell me again how many aircraft you flew (and are still on the line) that served in Vietnam.
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Me? Multiple.

The Air Force spent 30 years not investing in the Huey and a lot of other airframes because they were chasing the almighty stealth this and joint that, and building beautiful bases with 3-story glass walled gyms. The USAF has only themselves to thank for that.
 
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