DoD Corrosion Office Celebrates Key Milestones
By Cynthia Greenwood
Since the advent of the Defense Department’s Corrosion Policy and Oversight Initiative, a team of military and industry experts have achieved a series of significant milestones. Working hand in hand, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and military departments have spent $85 million on 101 corrosion mitigation projects and activities designed to preserve U.S. weapon systems and infrastructure.
This investment has translated into a savings of $4.46 billion over the life cycle of the vehicles, aircraft, and facilities involved. The return on investment has amounted to a ratio of 53 to 1.
Corrosion prevention working groups have endeavored to change the DoD acquisition culture so it is oriented toward preserving the existing fleet of ships and aircraft, bases, and harbors. John J. Young, Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, signed the first Corrosion DoD Instruction in January 2008. Congress has continued to revise the Public Law mandating efforts and formal policy related to military corrosion, while granting supplemental funding.
A multi-phase Cost of Corrosion Baseline Study continues to be revised, offering cost of corrosion assessments every two years for Army and Marine Corps ground vehicles, Navy ships, Army aviation and missile equipment, Navy and Marine Corps aviation equipment, Coast Guard aviation and vessels, and DoD facilities and infrastructure.
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