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US Air Force launches North Star Readiness Campaign to boost B-52 and B-1 availability
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The U.S. Air Force has launched the North Star Readiness Campaign, a joint initiative by Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and the Defense Logistics Agency, to increase the number of mission-capable B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer aircraft. The campaign aims to accelerate parts delivery, engineering support, and depot maintenance, reducing logistical delays from over a week to two to three days. Since its start, mission-impacting part problems have dropped from over 450 to around 160. The effort also unifies modernization programs for the bombers, ensuring long-range penetrating strike capability remains credible. The B-2 Spirit will be maintained until the B-21 Raider is fully operational.
Source report
The U.S. Air Force has launched an initiative to increase the number of mission-capable B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer aircraft by accelerating parts delivery, engineering support, and depot maintenance.
The effort, known as the North Star Readiness Campaign, responds to the need to maintain the readiness and availability of the U.S. bomber force for global operations, according to a Tuesday release from Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
Collaborative Approach
AFGSC launched the campaign alongside Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to bring together operators, acquisition and sustainment experts, and logistics partners.
“The North Star Readiness Campaign is our commitment to ensuring the warfighter has the nation’s bomber force ready to go at a moment’s notice.” — Gen. S.L. Davis, Commander, AFGSC
“By modernizing these incredible platforms and ensuring our maintainers have the parts and support they need, we are sending a clear message to our adversaries and allies alike that the United States’ long-range penetrating strike capability is, and will remain, second to none.” — Gen. S.L. Davis
Streamlining Logistics
The collaboration between AFGSC, AFMC, and supply partners such as DLA is designed to break down logistical barriers and streamline the channel for parts, engineering support, and depot maintenance. Key outcomes include:
- Faster lateral shipments: Deliveries now arrive in two to three days, compared to a week or more previously.
- Reduced part problems: The number of “mission-impacting part problems” has dropped from more than 450 to around 160 since the campaign began.
- Shift in focus: Units can now move from immediate emergencies to addressing backorders and emerging failure trends.
“Strengthening the supply chain and engineering support means maintenance is faster and less complex. It ensures these critical aircraft remain a credible strategic asset for decades to come.” — Matt Miller, Executive Director, Logistics and Engineering Directorate, AFGSC
Sustainment and Modernization
The North Star Readiness Campaign aims to boost the B-1’s operational readiness through sustainment efforts that focus on expediting parts for critical structural and avionics components, while collaborating with AFMC and DLA to accelerate depot-level maintenance cycles.
A range of ongoing and new modernization programs, managed through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and AFMC, are unified under the campaign.
B-2 and B-21 Outlook
The announcement acknowledged that while the B-52 and B-1 are being upgraded to remain in service longer, the B-2 Spirit will be maintained for combat effectiveness until the B-21 Raider is fully operational.
Reporting by Cristina Stassis
Source
Air Force TimesWestern
Part of this Story
US Air Force North Star campaign slashes B-52 and B-1 part shortages from 450 to 160