The Air Force has issued an environmental impact assessment for public comment on its proposal to add up to 31 additional aircraft and about 565 more personnel, a combination of civilian, active duty, and Reserve. The bulk of the additions can be attributed to BRAC 2005, which calls for adding five F-16s to the 64th Aggressor Squadron and 18 F-15s to the 65th AGS. The Air Force would like to add another eight F-16s to the 64th to bring it up to a full squadron size of 24, according to a USAF release. The additional aircraft also would require construction for several new and modified buildings and more ramp space. Actions would start this year and run through 2011.
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.