Depot Innovation Drives Readiness, Saves Air Force Millions at OC-ALC

Published Jan. 29, 2026
By Courtney Landsberger
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

Airmen and civilian engineers across the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex are turning innovation into readiness, delivering faster repairs, improved inspections and millions of dollars in cost avoidance for the U.S. Air Force.

Several OC-ALC teams were recognized in January for cost-effective readiness initiatives that strengthen aircraft sustainment while reducing repair timelines and expenses.

A team from the 550th Commodities Maintenance Squadron and 76th Commodities Maintenance Group Engineering Directorate (76 CMXG/MXDEA) developed a rapid repair solution for F-16 cooling turbine housing assemblies.

People posing with certificate — U.S. Air Force Col. Grinston presents a certificate of recognition to a member of the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group, 76th AMXG/MXDEN, during a January Cost-Effective Readiness recognition event Jan. 21 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The team was recognized for improving nondestructive inspection capabilities by repurposing in-house imaging equipment, reducing inspection time and increasing detection of surface cracks on KC-135 and B-52 aircraft components while saving the Air Force thousands of dollars. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ashley Roberts)

Timothy Schantz, machinist; Adam Dorety, mechanical engineer; James Reid, machinist supervisor; and Faith David, aerospace engineer, created a method to repair or replace damaged housings in as little as 30 minutes. Previously, these assemblies often required more time-intensive processes or full replacement.

Their innovation has already saved the Air Force $225,122, while returning critical components to service faster and improving aircraft availability.

At the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group’s 548th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron, engineers and artisans implemented a cost-effective fix for F108 bearing assemblies during shaft strip operations.

The team — Forrest Raines and Tanner Grimes, process engineers; and Tony Cox, Todd Meeks, William Stambaugh, John Mounce and Tom Laird — refined procedures to preserve serviceable components and reduce unnecessary part replacement.

Their process improvements are projected to save the Air Force more than $2.5 million, directly supporting sustainment of engines that power the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.

Engineers from the 76th Maintenance Support Group leveraged the Metallurgical Analysis Lab to expand the use of First Article Testing, preventing the purchase of unusable aircraft parts before they enter the supply system.

Matt Read and Jacquelyn Searcy, first article lead engineers; Isaac Pulscher, lead engineer; Peter Vik, Henri Blancett and Thomas Krauter from the engineering team; and Kathryn Lara, photographer, collaborated to analyze and validate components prior to acceptance.

Their efforts stopped procurement of a faulty F100 oil nozzle and a TF33 turbine stator lock, resulting in a cost avoidance of $99,483 while protecting aircraft safety and reliability.

Within the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group, 76th AMXG/MXDEN, Chris Montgomery, an NDI process engineer, identified a solution to replace obsolete magneto-optic imaging equipment used in inspections.

Men posing with certificate — U.S. Air Force Col. Grinston presents a certificate of recognition to a member of the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group, 76th AMXG/MXDEN, during a January Cost-Effective Readiness recognition event Jan. 21 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The team was recognized for improving nondestructive inspection capabilities by repurposing in-house imaging equipment, reducing inspection time and increasing detection of surface cracks on KC-135 and B-52 aircraft components while saving the Air Force thousands of dollars. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ashley Roberts)

By repurposing an imaging system already available in-house, Montgomery reduced set-up and inspection time by 50% and improved the probability of detecting microscopic cracks and faults by 25% on aging aircraft components.

The upgraded inspection capability enhances detection of surface cracking on KC-135 and B-52 airframes and has generated $174,860 in cost avoidance to date.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how OC-ALC Airmen and civilians are increasing readiness, extending the life of critical aircraft systems and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently — all while keeping combat airpower ready for the fight.