JCS Chairman Gen. Peter Pace told defense reporters in Washington yesterday he thinks finding a way to settle inequities between the services is “worth taking a look at.” Pace said the Air Force and the Navy have been “extremely forthcoming” in finding service members to ease some of the pressure on ground forces in the war on terrorism. However, he wants to make sure the right people are in the right jobs. As for control of unmanned aerial vehicle operations (see above), “If that’s a place where the Air Force could free up Army troops to do other things, it’s worth the discussion.”
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.