Whistleblower raises maintenance concerns of aging aircraft at Air Force base
www.kansascity.com | 11/29/2008 | Whistleblower raises maintenance concerns of aging aircraft at Air Force base
George Sarris, a senior civilian aircraft mechanic at Offutt with more than 30 years experience, told The Kansas City Star that he has been waging a years-long battle to bring maintenance concerns to light about the RC-135 fleet and became so frustrated that he decided to go public.
“I have found inspections that are 17 years past due, hydraulic and fuel hoses that should have been changed 15 years ago, and recently several emergency system hoses that were 30-plus years past time change,” Sarris said, adding that he believes at least one landing gear assembly also was improperly installed
Another scandal in the making?
http://iagblog.*************/2008/12...in-making.html
If USAF staffers pay attention, they had better be careful with this news. The USAF cannot afford a Nimrod event. Look here. Perhaps air forces the world over just don't give these planes the attention they deserve. Fighters and bombers get attention. But its the work done before, during and after destructive missions that really matter. Electronic eyes and ears keep the rest of the attack fleet safe after all.
Reading this story sounds so much like the RAF people going on about how safe the Nimrod was and how they were doing excellent maintenance. And then one blew up in flight and the RAF lost some irreplaceable talent. Its time the USAF started putting its fancy technology into newer planes. Even if they are able to keep 40 plus year old designs flying, there comes a time when these planes are too old. Moreover, with wars going on, these planes are being used more than than ever.
I hope the MOD read these stories before buying the RC-135 to replace the Nimrod MR1