The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 123rd Intelligence Squadron has become one of a handful of ANG units that provide real-time intelligence data from their home base to warfighters in Southwest Asia. Unit airmen have been in the intel business for years—from five to 15—but just started processing “live” data last month from their own facility. In the past, the 123rd airmen would travel to an active duty base to ply their trade. Arkansas ANG commander Brig. Gen. Riley Porter calls the new capability “an awesome responsibility.”
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.