There is a simple way to help answer high-demand C-130 tactical airlifter taskings in Southwest Asia, says Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve head, and that’s to rotate C-130 crews in the same manner that the reserves now do with fighters—on a 40-day schedule. Bradley said Tuesday morning at a Washington seminar that he has talked with Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, Air National Guard chief, and both agree that such a plan would work since it has worked well with F-16 and A-10 crews. “I don’t think the C-130 business is any more complicated than the A-10 or F-16 business,” he continued, noting that Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley also thinks it’s a good idea.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.