Navy air boss stands up team to address strike fighter readiness

By Justin Katz / November 9, 2017 at 10:40 AM

The Navy stood up the "Rhino Readiness Recovery" team to address readiness issues within the strike fighter community, according to the service's air boss.

The team will "identify and address long-term impacts caused by a lack of consistent readiness resourcing" such as low manning, long-term down aircraft, parts shortages and lack of facilities, Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander of naval air forces, said in prepared remarks delivered today to the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee.

The team is "tasked with solving systemic supply, maintenance, manning and facilities shortfalls that resulted from years of over-utilization and underfunding," he said.

Shoemaker is testifying alongside Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, Marine Corps deputy commandant for aviation, and counterparts from the Army and Air Force.

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