Maintainers at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., are modifying the brakes on the base’s B-1 bombers. The new brake system, costing $15,787 per airframe, offers enhanced safety, maintainability, and effectiveness. It features a flexible hose that exerts less strain on components compared to the original, rigid brake swivels, while also easing maintenance demands. The new system also “greatly reduces the risk of a brake fire,” said Justin Curtis of Ellsworth’s 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “That kind of security can be a real weight off the minds of the aircrew, especially during a mission,” he said. The Air Force first tested the brake system on a B-1 in 2009 and subsequently conducted high-speed taxi trials with it in January 2010. Ellsworth maintainers began modifying the 28th Bomb Wing’s B-1s last October, with the goal of converting all 28 of them by mid May. (Ellsworth report by SrA. Jarad Denton)
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe recently pledged “a plus-up in manpower” for the maintainer ranks, as the service prepares to launch a major overhaul of its maintenance career field next year.