Vice President Dick Cheney paid a visit to Fairchild AFB, Wash., on Monday, giving a pep talk to some 600 people gathered at the home of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. “The President and I want you to know how much we appreciate everything you do for the United States,” said Cheney. He also presided over the re-enlistment of 18 airmen, soldiers, and marines. Fairchild is home to 50 active duty and eight Air National Guard KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft.
Depot-level maintenance took longer than expected for nearly three-quarters of Air Force aircraft from fiscal 2019-2024, according to a new report, as unplanned repairs rise across the aging fleet. The report, from the Government Accountability Office, also found that the extent of the delays has been masked because officials often revise their target timelines after unplanned work occurs.