Ogden Completes Hogs Early: The Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah, ramped up its work process to get three A-10 Warthogs through a service life extension program early to meet the deployment schedule of the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska. Without that extra effort, Eielson faced having to borrow A-10s from another unit to meet its deployment commitment. Ogden managed to move one A-10 through a “lean” process, shaving one month off normal SLEP time, and worked overtime to complete the other two, which were “thick-skin” center wing aircraft and required a different inspection process and, subsequently, more repairs, said ALC officials. It worked. The center turned over the final two well ahead of time.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.