Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, left, listens to General David L. Goldfein, right, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force at the Pentagon , Thursday, November 9, 2017.(Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP)

An Air Force official admitted that the branch's multiple purchases of coffee cups, which break easily and cost $ 1,280 each, "is simply irresponsible," pledging to look for ways to repair the mugs. instead of buying new ones.

The purchase and replacement of special cups, which can heat liquids aboard in-flight refuellers, have cost the Air Force $ 326,785 since 2016, said the secretary of the airline. Air Force, Heather Wilson.

The letter, dated last Wednesday and addressed to Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, came after Grassley had questioned "yet another unnecessary expense report to the Department of Defense" in a previous letter.

In a correspondence dated Oct. 2, Grassley asked Wilson about a Fox News report that a squadron at the Travis Air Force base in California had spent $ 56,000 in metal cups over the past three years. years only.

Technology. Sgt. James Hodgman, a spokesman for the squadron, explained the problem to Fox News.

"Unfortunately, in the event of a fall, the handle breaks easily, resulting in a cost of several thousand dollars for the replacement of the cups, because spare parts are not available," he said.

In his response, Wilson explained that the cups are designed to be used with a 34-year-old fleet and that declining parts production and rising material prices have almost doubled the cup's price of 693 USD in 2016 to USD 1,280 in 2018.

The Air Force as a whole has purchased 391 cups in the past two years, for a total of $ 326,785, or an average of $ 835 per cup.

"You're right to worry about the high costs of spare parts, and I appreciate your support for solving this problem," said Wilson, detailing a new effort to 3D print such otherwise expensive parts or irreplaceable.

The Air Force rapid support office, founded in July, can replace the cup handles with a 3D print for around $ 0.50 each, she said, removing the need to buy a whole cup of $ 1,280.

"It's just irresponsible to spend thousands of dollars on manufactured parts when we have the technology to produce them ourselves," Wilson said in the letter, adding that a review was underway to identify 39, other printable parts for aircraft.

Grassley, in a statement released Friday, said that he was not completely satisfied with the air force 's response and had pledged to "pursue this issue. further".

"Although I know the Air Force is working on finding innovations that could help save taxpayer money, we still do not understand why it can not find a cheaper alternative to a $ 1,280 cup, "Grassley said.

"Government officials have a responsibility to use taxpayers' money effectively – all too often, this is not the case."

Earlier this year Grassley accused the Air Force of acquiring $ 10,000 worth of toilet seats for a cargo plane, a piece printed by the service since 3-D.

Follow Josh Hafner on Twitter: @joshhafner

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