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ir Force and coalition counterparts in Southwest Asia routinely meet to discuss weapons and tactics—at an operational level. “This is our chance to ask ourselves if we’re doing what we need to do to achieve the desired effects and decide what we can do to improve upon our tactics and our processes,” says Col. William Mullins, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group commander. The most recent four-day session covered, as one of its topics, how to integrate the RC-135 Rivet Joint with non-traditional intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance platforms—fighters and bombers, reports Capt. Teresa Sullivan. The result was development of a process for the Rivet Joint to continue its electronic snooping role and working with strike aircraft to support ground forces. Mullins notes, “We’re seeing results, and it’s all good.”
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.