Lawmakers criticize B-1B readiness

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Falling readiness
Members of Congress are looking for answers


Lawmakers criticize B-1B readiness
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jun 14, 2008 7:13:06 EDT

Lawmakers representing B-1B Lancer bases want the Air Force to explain what it will do to turn around the bomber’s falling readiness numbers.

The senators and congressmen from South Dakota and Texas are blaming the decline on spending shortfalls and a shortage of spare parts, which they attributed to service shortsightedness.

“It’s alarming to see the decline of mission-capable rates for the B-1B bomber as utilization rates have increased,” Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said in a statement issued with a letter lawmakers wrote to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

In 2007, the letter says, lawmakers were alarmed about the decision to lower the importance of parts for the B-1B from “critical” to “priority.”

“Our concerns appear to be justified,” Johnson and five other legislators told Wynne.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/06/airforce_b1b_061408/