B-1B Lancer bombers out of service due to fuel filter leak zimbabwestar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from zimbabwestar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Air Force faces $72 million bill for winter storm damage 5 hours ago Snow covered B-52H Stratofortresses sit on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 19. Approximately four inches of snow fell on the base Feb. 14 and 15. An additional two inches of snow and sleet were recorded on Feb. 17. (Airman 1st Class Jacob Wrightsman/Air Force) Winter storms earlier this year caused more than $72 million in damages at Air Force installations across the country, as well as minor harm to two aircraft adding to the growing repair bill generated by severe weather in recent years. Much of the continental U.S. saw unusually low temperatures as well as snow and ice storms at the beginning of 2021, proving particularly challenging in areas unaccustomed to deep winter. The Air Force was not immune to the elements.
Ellsworth AFB grounds B1-B Lancer fleet amid safety concerns
April 25, 2021News
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The B1-B Lancer fleet at Ellsworth Air Force Base is grounded because of issues with part of the planes’ fuel system.
Gen. Tim Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, indefinitely grounded the service’s 57 active Lancers amid safety concerns April 20 according to a command spokesperson.
“During the inspection process following a B-1B ground emergency on April 8 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, a discrepancy with an augmenter fuel pump filter housing was discovered,” the command said. “As a precautionary measure, the commander directed one-time inspections on all B-1B aircraft to resolve this issue.”
By Staff Sgt. Seth Stang, USAFA Public Affairs / Published April 26, 2021
Cadets 2nd Class George Biery (left) and David Grey get ready to fly aboard a UH-1 H helicopter at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 24, 2021. Approximately 50 cadets flew aboard UH-1 N and HH 60-G helicopters during the Air Force Rotary Wing Forum, April 24-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Seth Stang)
Cadets and a special missions’ aviator (left) fly aboard an HH 60-G helicopter above Colorado Springs during the Air Force Rotary Wing Forum at the U.S. Air Force Academy, April 24, 2021. During the helicopter portion of the Air Force Rotary Wing Forum, approximately 50 cadets had the opportunity to ride along with either the UH-1 N or HH 60-G helicopter airframes and learn what flying in each is like first hand. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Seth Stang)
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.
The Air Force Global Strike Command commander ordered a safety stand-down of the B-1B Lancer fleet of 57 March 28.
During a routine inspection of the B-1B drogue chute system, potentially fleet-wide issues were identified with the rigging of the drogue chute. It appears to be a procedural issue and is unrelated to the previous problem with egress system components. As a precautionary measure, the commander directed a holistic inspection of the entire egress system. The safety stand-down will afford maintenance and Aircrew Flight Equipment technicians the necessary time to thoroughly inspect each aircraft. As these inspections are completed and any issues are resolved, aircraft will return to flight.