[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 670--ENCOURAGING THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE TO 
 DESIGNATE THE MAINE AIR NATIONAL GUARD 101ST AIR REFUELING WING AS A 
       CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

  Mr. KING (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 670

       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing is home to four 
     technicians certified to print airworthy parts, two-thirds of 
     the entire uniformed force of certified technicians;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing is the only Air 
     National Guard unit capable of printing airworthy parts, 
     while also fielding the technicians certified to print 
     airworthy parts;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing has created eight 
     different tools for six different maintenance shops, 
     enhancing aircrew maintenance efficiency and increasing 
     aircraft readiness;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing has modeled and 
     provided three training aids allowing complete comprehensive 
     drill status guardsmen training, resulting in increased 
     technician competency, and superior aircraft maintenance 
     repairs;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing has the ability to 
     model and prove a well-fitting part before machining, 
     allowing for easier identification of errors, and preventing 
     the duplication of non-usable parts, increasing aircraft 
     readiness and reducing material waste and cost;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing is the only Air 
     National Guard unit to have an authorized polymer printer in 
     their possession;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing partners with the 
     University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites 
     Department;
       Whereas this allows both organizations to share the best 
     practices and emerging technologies, while also allowing the 
     101st to perform strength testing of part candidates and 
     receive feedback for redesign options;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing has created five jigs 
     or fixtures which significantly aid aircrews in making 
     repairs, while also decreasing aircraft downtime and repair 
     inaccuracy;
       Whereas the 101st Air Refueling Wing has modeled five 
     aircraft parts as proofs of design before machining 
     replacement parts, successfully identifying model errors and 
     reducing material waste and cost; and
       Whereas the Army Reserve 75th Innovation Command requested 
     that the 101st Air Refueling Wing model and produce five 
     parts as a pilot program connecting units with additive 
     manufacturing stations capable of supporting modeling and 
     printing requests: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate encourages the Secretary of the 
     Air Force to designate the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air 
     Refueling Wing at Bangor Air National Guard Base as a center 
     of excellence for additive manufacturing technology.

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