The Top 3 reasons why corrosion is a bigger threat to operational readiness than ever before.

Corrosion has, of course, always been a threat to operational readiness - but perhaps never more than today. You might have your own list, but here’s our list:

1. The shift of assets to INDOPACOM

INDOPACOM, as highlighted in our recent blog posts, poses a handful of challenges when it comes to corrosion - a highly corrosive climate, lots of transport through salt air, a lack of protective infrastructure, and significant challenges in getting replacement parts. Corrosion is going to be one of the forces we’ll have to battle with to remain ready.

2. Global Warming

As temperatures rise and extreme weather events occur with more frequency, there’s a correlative increase in corrosion. Heavy weather pushes moisture deeper into crevices and perforations like screws, bolt holes, joints, and seams. In INDOPACOM some atolls are barely above water and on many islands 100% of the land is subject to sea spray.

3. The increase in electrical components

As more technology is added to assets there is a higher risk of failure due to the fragility of wiring, circuit boards, displays, etc. Perhaps even more dangerous than failure is “ghosting” when components degrade but don’t fail - leaving operators, pilots, and drivers unaware that a reading is incorrect or a failure is imminent.

What would your Top 3 be? Would you include supply chain issues related to spare parts? Increased demands on maintenance personnel? Aging assets? Or maybe a lack of protective infrastructure like controlled humidity storage, hangars, sunshades, etc? 

Operational readiness and corrosion-prevention are tightly linked. As the military moves in new directions (geographically, technologically, logistically) it faces a host of threats to readiness, including corrosion. 

Fortunately there are proven ways to mitigate and even prevent corrosion. Contact us if you’d like to discuss how you can get ahead of corrosion and increase your readiness.

Top left image Courtesy Sgt. Sarah Sangster, Top right image Courtesy Senior Airman Anthony Nin Leclerec.
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