WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, May 31 (UPI) -- Depot maintenance operations for the U.S. Air Force's fleet of F-22 Raptors are being consolidated to reduce costs and boost efficiency, the service said.
Under a 31-month incremental transition plan, maintenance work performed at a Lockheed Martin facility is Palmdale, Calif., to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where depot maintenance on F-22s is being carried out.
"The facts show this will be a great efficiency for the F-22 program and the warfighter," said Air Force Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander.
"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.
"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."
The Air Force said it conducted a comprehensive business case analysis before making the consolidation decision. The analysis indicated the consolidation would result in a savings of more than $16 million annually in F-22 depot maintenance.
