That was some great reading...thanks for sharing it.
As a retired USAF maintainer...this statement caused me to reflect a bit on my time in uniform and why I was and still am proud to have been a mech...
“They do not post phenomenal readiness rates because they are inherently well designed. They do it because people work incredibly hard to keep the aircraft ready to fly. These communities do not keep combat losses low because of perfect systems but, rather, because of great flight leaders and crews who know how to exploit the strengths and guard the weaknesses of their aircraft.”
Thanks for your service, and...that IS a great quote. On the money.
Any pilot who is worth anything notices when they walk to the plane the shape it is in, and keep in mind that there were often young men who worked long hours to get it into that condition.
And they appreciate it.