In the December issue of Air Force Magazine, Editor in Chief Robert Dudney addresses the brewing roles and missions debate, declaring: “It is unseemly to pretend the other services aren’t pushing beyond their traditional roles.” There are two issues in the new debate that directly affect the Air Force—fixed wing airlift in a combat theater and the growing fleet of unmanned airlift vehicles. Dudney maintains that there is “no persuasive argument” to give the Army its own airlift force or either of the other services its own high-flying UAVs. To think otherwise is to obviate “true advances in military jointness.” (Read “The Last Tactical Mile and Other Tales.”)
Dozens of fighter jets gathered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last week to kick off one of the service’s biggest air combat exercises despite the government shutdown. More than 50 aircraft and 500 personnel are participating in Checkered Flag 26-1.
