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.
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.
