Central Command Air Forces performed multiple air strikes on targets in Afghanistan and Iraq over the weekend. On Oct. 21, USAF F-16s and F-15s struck buildings used by insurgents in the vicinity of Karbala and Husaybah, Iraq. On the same day, coalition aircraft destroyed a safe house and weapons cache using precision guided munitions after a raid on the location northwest of Qaim, Iraq, discovered the arms. On Oct. 22, a USAF A-10 struck anti-coalition militia in the vicinity of Asmar, Afghanistan. And, on Oct. 23, A-10s took out anti-coalition militia firing positions in the vicinity of Oruzgan, Afghanistan.
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.