Hill AFB begins F-22 Raptor depot maintenance consolidation

by Richard W. Essary
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/3/2014 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The Air Force's decision to consolidate depot maintenance for the F-22 Raptor at Hill Air Force Base in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies is coming to fruition. F-22 depot maintenance, which is currently split between Hill AFB's Ogden Air Logistics Complex and a Lockheed Martin facility in Palmdale, Calif., will begin relocation exclusively to the Ogden ALC this month.

"The Ogden Air Logistics Complex has long been a leader in depot repair, overhaul and modification for a number of different weapon systems," said Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr., Ogden ALC commander. "Consolidation of F-22 depot maintenance at Hill Air Force Base will create greater efficiency in the F-22 program by allowing the Air Force to cost-effectively maintain the F-22, and ensure this critical front-line weapon system is readily available to the warfighter."

The decision to consolidate the Raptor's depot modification and heavy maintenance was made in May 2013 following a comprehensive business case analysis led by the F-22 System Program Office. Air Force analysis determined the consolidation of F-22 work at Hill AFB would result in a minimum cost savings of more than $300 million during the program's life cycle.

Jointly, the Program Office, Ogden ALC, and Lockheed Martin Corp. implemented a 21-month incremental transition plan, which included the modification of existing base facilities, movement of specific support equipment, and hiring of additional ALC personnel.

The F-22 System Program Office said the coordinated ramp-down at Palmdale and ramp-up at the Ogden ALC will result in the standup of six additional F-22 depot production lines starting with the first this month, reaching full capability in February 2015. The consolidated depot at Hill AFB will double the current workload, bringing approximately 200 new jobs to the base.