The Expeditionary Depot Maintenance Flight at Robins AFB, Ga., works around the world to repair battle-damaged C-5 and C-130 transports and F-15 fighters. Formed in 2009 after the inactivation of Robins’ 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron, the flight’s 56 members are divided into five teams, two that specialize in F-15s and three that work on the airlifters. They are ready at all times to deploy within 24-hours notice. “We can pretty much go anywhere at any time,” said TSgt. Sean Brown, crew chief of one of the F-15 teams. The flight has specialized trailers dubbed “war wagons” stationed at various global locations containing all of the tools these airmen need to conduct their repairs. When a team is called in for a job, an alert goes out and the closest war wagon is dispatched to meet it. (Robins report by Wayne Crenshaw)
The U.S. has approved a $310.5 million Foreign Military Sale to provide Ukraine with maintenance and training for its F-16 fighter jets, the State Department announced May 2. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has been sending retired F-16s to Ukraine to be used for spare parts.