A B-1B Lancer supersonic bomber retired by the USAF last month is being used as a battle repair training object by mechanics with the 76th Expeditionary Maintenance Group (EDMX) at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
The B-1 registration 86-109 and christened “Spectre” was towed from the flight line to an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) training center on the south side of the base. The towing of the plane across the “Patrol Road” from Tinker Base drew attention.
First Lieutenant Mason Shaw, commander of the EDMX, said the move required many coordinating groups, including the Navy's ONE Strategic Communications Wing, the B-1 System Programs Office, the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, Public Affairs , Oklahoma Gas & Electric, the 567th and 569th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons, Civil Engineering, Alutiiq and the engineering of the 76th EMDX itself.
“We want to extend our gratitude to all of our Tinker partners who made this operation a successful operation, especially Jonathan Harkness, who led the effort,” he said.
The Spectre, the second of 17 bombers the USAF plans to retire, s two other aircraft serving as maintenance trainers: a B-52 Stratofortress bomber and a C-135 Stratolifter transport plane, dubbed the "Speckled Trout". , which has the same structure as the KC-135 Stratotanker.
“This aircraft will be important for training for advanced repair techniques and as an engineering test aid for form, fit and function of future structural modifications and repairs,” said Colonel Greg Lowe, commander of the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group.
Preparing the B-1B for its evacuation work required removing engines, some avionics and other equipment not essential for its new mission. For the aircraft to safely leave the flight path and travel to its new home, two temporary gravel ramps were constructed. A number of road signs, utility poles and a power line had to be temporarily removed to clear the bomber's path.
The aircraft's characteristic variable-geometry wings were kept in a retracted (aft) position to keep the span as narrow as possible. Additionally, two counterweights were suspended from the forward section of the aircraft, each weighing 2.640 pounds (1197,4 kilograms).
The half mile trip took approximately 20 minutes. The following Monday, the wings of the “Spectre” were manually extended, one at a time, using only a cordless drill, which took about 5 minutes per wing, a process that takes only 10 seconds in flight.
The “Spectre” took an unusual path to its new home. After logging 12.136 flight hours, he suffered an in-flight fire in 2018 while diverting to Midland International Airport near Odessa, Texas. The aircraft was flown to Tinker by the 10th Flight Test Squadron, with only three engines running, for a park-level repair on of fire damage.
“The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex crews repaired the damaged nacelle, replaced the ejection system, and performed the Integrated Battle Station modification and a complete Depot Scheduled Maintenance overhaul,” said Lowe. “Despite all the work, the aircraft has been selected for retirement, but will be a welcome addition to the ABDR program.”
Part of the 76th AMXG, the Expeditionary Depot Maintenance Squadron is responsible for maintaining the Air Force's single source for ABDR rapid repair capabilities for all tanker and bomber fleets.
With DVIDS
