Airmen of the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, from Barksdale AFB, La. have achieved an 84.2 percent mission capable rate with their B-52 bombers. SMSgt. Don Perrien reports that Barksdale officials had anticipated only making a 76 percent Micap because of the age of the bombers and not having access to the unit’s full supply system. The deployed airmen have relied on “the equipment, tools, and knowledge we brought with us,” said Maj. George Johnson Jr., 36th EAMXS commander.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.