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U.S. Combat Air Power: Aging Refueling Aircraft Are Costly to Maintain and Operate

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Aug. 8, 1996
Report No. NSIAD-96-160
Subject
Summary:

The military's KC-135 tanker fleet used for air refueling is now 30 to 40 years old, and these aircraft are taking longer and costing more to maintain and operate. Moreover, the Air Force could spend more than $6 billion on modifications and structural repairs to keep the KC-135 fleet operational. Despite increasing demands on the tanker fleet, the Air Force has deferred a replacement program and is relying on reserve personnel to relieve pressure on active duty tanker crews. The reserve forces have been able to assume more of the tanker workload because many crew members have volunteered extra time, thus exceeding the reserves' legal training requirement of 38 days per year. In fact, many have served more than 100 days a year in training and flying sorties.

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