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Air Force to consolidate F-22 depot maintenance

by The AV Times Staff • May 30, 2013

F-22A Raptor Demonstration Team aircraft maintainers prepare to launch Maj. Paul Moga, the first F-22A Raptor demonstration team pilot. Raptors like these will now undergo depot maintenance at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)
F-22A Raptor Demonstration Team aircraft maintainers prepare to launch Maj. Paul Moga, the first F-22A Raptor demonstration team pilot. Raptors like these will now undergo depot maintenance at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll)

PALMDALE – The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to shift all F-22 depot level maintenance to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.

The depot maintenance work is currently split between the Ogden ALC and the Lockheed facility in Palmdale.

“Palmdale has made a storied contribution to aviation and while this move makes sense, we are certain this important workforce will continue strongly supporting the Air Force at Palmdale for many years to come,” said Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander.

The Air Force conducted a comprehensive business case analysis and determined a consolidation of all F-22 work at Ogden ALC would reduce costs while realizing greater efficiencies, a minimum cost savings of more than $16 million per year, according to an Air Force press release.

“The facts show this will be a great efficiency for the F-22 program and the warfighter,” Moore said. “It will allow us to more quickly maintain the F-22 keeping this vital front-line fighter ready to meet any challenge, while at the same time allow us to strengthen the robust and capable Palmdale workforce on other critical programs within the local area.”

Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon responded to the Air Force’s plan to consolidate Palmdale F-22 depot maintenance at Hill AFB . In a press release issued Thursday, McKeon stated:

“While I am saddened to see much of the F-22 work leave, I am pleased that Air Force leadership has continued to recognize the critical role played by the Palmdale workforce. This decision was made in order to reduce cost to the American taxpayer and to increase capacity at Plant 42.  As the local community is well aware, Plant 42’s primary mission has always been to research and develop the tools necessary to meet future threats. I believe this shift represents a renewed commitment to that goal, and I am confident that Plant 42’s workforce is bettered postured to meet the coming demand. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to monitor this transition and ensure that all decisions positively impact both the warfighter and our local community.”

The Air Force has developed a 31-month incremental transition plan to complete the F-22 depot maintenance consolidation activities.

Filed Under: Palmdale

6 comments for "Air Force to consolidate F-22 depot maintenance"

  1. George Archuleta says

    May 31, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    Im hopefull, that this contract will be bring some opportunities for employment at HAFB, I would be interested in employment there. I have 15 years experience in the cable an wire harness for F16s.

  2. sikntired says

    May 30, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    Sad state of affairs,dontcha think?

  3. Stinger says

    May 30, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    How coincidental that with the announcement of the new chinese-owned BYD facility, some of our more sensitive defense contracts are now leaving the AV…

    • Wow says

      May 31, 2013 at 5:48 am

      The F-22 is one of our most publicized defense contracts. There are far more sensitive and top-secret contracts that will probably never leave the AV. The F-22 maintenance realigning to Hill has absolutely nothing to do with BYD locating in Lancaster.

      Wow, you are ignorant.

      • Newman says

        May 31, 2013 at 8:18 am

        burn

      • Adam Chant says

        May 31, 2013 at 2:00 pm

        You mean classified top-secret contracts that involve diamond shaped space ships like this?
        https://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.638324,-118.078675&hl=en&num=1&t=h&z=21
        HEY! I just Googled it.. I’m not the one who came in on a down Saturday to clean out the garage and left the car parked in the driveway …

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