Fires are raging across Oklahoma and Texas and National Guard Bureau officials say they have Air Guard and Army Guard helicopter crews on alert in both states to provide assistance. States officials have said the fires are the worst in the region in five years. As of Dec. 28, blazes had broken out in 12 counties in Oklahoma and 39 in Texas. NGB leaders also pressed Louisiana Guard members into action, sending some helos and crews to Texas.
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.