During a recent visit to U.S. Marine Corp bases, House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry was told how Marines had to cannibalize parts from a museum aircraft so that they can send one of the front-line aircraft for an overseas mission.
Rep. Mac Thornberry, center-right, discusses maintenance and readiness issues with Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., March 18, 2016. Thornberry also serves as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and met with units from across II Marine Expeditionary Force to discuss force-related topics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins/Released)
Although the salvage gig didn’t work, it serve to highlight the difficulties faced by the Marines as they struggle with budget shortfalls.
