WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has launched the North Star Readiness Campaign to increase the number of mission-capable B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers available for operations.
The campaign was launched on September 8 by Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) in partnership with Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The effort focuses on reducing logistical delays, improving parts availability, strengthening engineering support and speeding up depot maintenance.
The Air Force said the campaign is intended to maintain a ready bomber force capable of supporting global operations. It brings operators, sustainment organizations, logisticians and maintainers together to address problems that can keep aircraft out of service.
Faster Parts Delivery
One of the main elements of the campaign is the use of daily aircraft-on-ground meetings. These meetings bring together DLA representatives, supply-chain personnel, base logistics units and flight-line maintainers to identify parts shortages and work on solutions.
According to the Air Force, some lateral shipments that previously took a week or longer can now reach operating units in two to three days.
The campaign has also reduced the number of mission-impacting parts problems, known as MICAPs, from more than 450 to approximately 160. The reduction allows maintenance teams to spend more time working on high-priority backorders and identifying emerging reliability problems instead of responding to immediate parts shortages.
Focus on B-1 and B-52 Fleets
For the B-1 fleet, the campaign is focused on improving the availability of critical structural and avionics parts while also reducing delays associated with depot-level maintenance. The objective is to return aircraft to the fleet faster and reduce aircraft downtime.
The campaign is also supporting the continued modernization of the B-52 fleet. Both the B-52 and B-1 are receiving upgrades intended to allow the aircraft to remain in service for decades longer.
The Air Force is also continuing to sustain the B-2 Spirit for maximum combat effectiveness until the B-21 Raider becomes fully operational.
Air Force Leadership Emphasizes Readiness
Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said the campaign brings together operators, acquisition and sustainment experts and logistics partners with a focus on operational readiness.
“This is a team effort,” Davis said, emphasizing the need to provide maintainers with the parts and support required to keep the bomber force ready.
Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, said continued cooperation between Global Strike leadership and logistics organizations has helped improve the supply chain and return aircraft to the fleet faster after depot maintenance.
The campaign also uses ideas developed by Airmen working directly on the aircraft. Standardized maintenance playbooks and changes to day-to-day processes are being used to improve the movement of parts and streamline flight-line maintenance.
The North Star Readiness Campaign brings together ongoing and new modernization efforts, primarily managed through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and Air Force Materiel Command. The Air Force says the coordinated approach is intended to deliver parts, resources and engineering solutions more efficiently and increase the number of B-52 and B-1 aircraft available for operations.
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