The Air Force would like to get out of the ILO business, particularly when it means employing an airman outside his field (see above). Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley made this point earlier this year, and Brig. Gen. Hoot Gibson, director of operations and training at the Air Staff, explained last week to members of the House Armed Services readiness panel that as “the ground component grows,” the Air Force has a 12-month plan “to get out of those duties and tasks that are not within our core competencies.” When challenged about what would happen if the plan doesn’t bear fruit, Gibson commented, “I am not sure I am prepared to speculate.” He went on to say, though, that the service is “very concerned” lest the ILO taskings become a negative factor in retention.
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.