There’s been some speculation about whether the Air Force has any role in the Army’s plan to replace or augment its C-23 Sherpa fleet of small transports. The answer is: The Air Force is “partnering with the Army” on discussion about a light cargo aircraft, says Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff. He told reporters last week that the Air Force has “spent a lot of time” talking to the Army about the concept, chiefly about how such an aircraft would be able to supply units deployed in the non-linear battlefield model (built around the Future Combat Systems template). Moseley said they both want something that is better than just a C-23 Sherpa replacement. “It makes a lot of sense across the board,” Moseley said of the partnership. “To be able to operate out of smaller airfields, and to be able to do that with a higher sortie generation rate seems to be an inherent good.”
The Air Force is conducting a detailed investigation of environmental hazards at ICBM bases as part of its broad study of cancer risks at the facilities. There is an improved understanding of the environment and factors that can affect the issue, as well as better technology and “access both to…