Overview
- The Lancer rejoined the fleet at Dyess Air Force Base after a near two-year regeneration at Tinker AFB that returned it to full mission status and added new nose art.
- More than 200 members of the 567th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron replaced over 500 parts, carrying out deep system overhauls and structural repairs.
- Pilots from Tinker’s 10th Flight Test Squadron flew the jet in bare metal to run functional checks, which let crews spot skin issues and verify every restored system before paint.
- The aircraft came out of Type 2000 storage at the 309th AMARG “boneyard” in Arizona, and Tinker’s Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex holds the unique authority, tools, and data for B-1 depot work.
- Technical analyst Jason “JJ” Justice helped store the jet in 2021 and later guided its revival, showing how long-held know-how keeps aging bombers flying as the Air Force prepares for the B-21.