A dozen or so B-52s and 650 personnel from Barksdale AFB, La., passed through Andersen AFB, Guam, last week as part of the Air & Space Expeditionary Force 7 and 8 deployment. It was just another sign that Guam is a rising star in the Air Force firmament, serving as a key strategic deployment location for bombers on rotation duty supporting US Pacific Command’s area of operations and as a maintenance way station for aircraft going on to support operations in Southwest Asia. PACAF has personnel in place at Andersen to perform phase maintenance on B-52 bombers en route to SWA. Being able to conduct maintenance at Andersen prevents wasting flying hours, allowing the aircraft and crew to complete more combat missions, says to Lt. Col. Ronald Funk, 40th Air Expeditionary Group vice commander.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.