Whistleblower raises maintenance concerns of aging aircraft at Air Force base

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Kansas City Star

By MIKE McGRAW

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. | Poor maintenance may be compromising the flight safety of reconnaissance aircraft carrying some of America’s most advanced electronic equipment, according to current and former aircraft mechanics.

The RC-135 aircraft are maintained at Offutt Air Force Base and fly global intelligence-gathering missions. While they are among the oldest in the Air Force’s aging fleet, the planes carry the latest equipment for detecting troop movements, enemy radio transmissions and nuclear emissions.

Top Air Force officials said that the 29 planes — called such names as “Rivet Joint” and “Open Skies” for the types of missions they fly — are properly maintained.

But 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.


Travis Hunsicker, an aircraft mechanic assigned to the 55th Maintenance Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Neb., worked on the engine of an RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft on Tuesday.




Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/915014.html

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Marta and I live just over a mile from the base.

[Phred42]

1. "whislteblowers" or the pentagon building it's case for IT'S 'bailout'?

Here's some perspective

[Sherman A1]

2. Great Chart... Thanks!

Puts everything in perspective.

Much Appreciated! I have been trying to make the argument for years that we spend way too much on defense and this graphic will be very helpful.

[Phred42]

3. yw - Please share this chart. This info needs to get around.

I did this about 6 months ago - might be dated now. dunno.

But I have shut down several of my Right-wing friends with this. Stopped them in their tracks.

:)

[Bigmack]

4. I've got an idea....

.. have a bake sale!

The Pentagon is gonna need a LOT of bucks, so it's gonna have to be a BIG one.
I hope everybody will do their duty and buy a donut.