Two brand new F-35s were so damaged in two separate aircraft accidents that the Air Force

almost rode off these brand-new jets.

That's when a unique capability that most people don't realize exists inside the Air Force

stepped in.

And that's the aircraft battle damage repair team, ABDR.

Now this is an impressive group of people that are able to put Humpty Dumpty back together

again when

everything goes sideways. And as you might imagine, when planes break and when they have catastrophic

things happen to them, they don't always happen in the most convenient spots, not next to a major

repair facility. And that's why it requires a group of individuals who have a special skill

set to go out into the field, sometimes

in most austere environments or environments that aren't necessarily friendly. Maybe they're taking

incoming fire. Or maybe it's just difficult to get to. Hot, cold, not the ideal situation when

you're having to do complex, unique, and one-off repairs on major weapons systems.

Now, the group that comprises the aircraft, battle, damage, and repair team, that is what

they're born to do.

Now, I think given what's going on in today's world, this is a very relevant conversation,

and it will shed just a little bit of light on the capability that the United States Air Force

possesses when it comes to repairing aircraft that receive battle damage,

maybe not even battle damage. Say they take a bird strike or a catastrophic engine failure

that causes damage to the wing section or an engine to sell, et cetera. And today I'm fortunate

to be able to sit down with General Sebrin. He joined me on a Sunday, which was very gracious

...