Long-time B-2 bomber advocate that he is, Dicks told the forum audience that a “huge disparity” has emerged between investment in bombers as opposed to fighter aircraft. He said, “I couldn’t find anyone in the Pentagon who would support the idea of more B-2s.” One possible reason for this, Dicks opined, is that since the stand-down of the Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, a leading advocate for the importance of a well-maintained bomber fleet was lost.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
