Vice President Dick Cheney has made recent stops at two Air Force bases, where he thanked the airmen—active, Guard, and Reserve—and their families for their efforts in the Global War on Terror. At Charleston AFB, S.C., Cheney presented Bronze Stars to three airmen—CMSgt. Ronald Owens, CMSgt. Michael Schmiege, and TSgt. Carl McCoy. At Scott AFB, Ill., the Vice President helped conduct a mass re-enlistment of nine airmen and swear-in of a new recruit. A portion of his remarks were keyed to each base, including saying he was “familiar” with the work of Scott from his days as Secretary of Defense when he “had real power and influence.” (Read Charleston and Scott remarks.)
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.