According to the head of US Northern Command, the Pentagon’s BRAC recommendations pose “no unacceptable risk” to the homeland defense mission. Chairman Principi reminded Adm. Timothy Keating that previous BRAC rounds had closed three USAF bases in the northeast, that the nearest remaining facility would be 150 miles away with only two alert aircraft, that ANG would lose aircraft in New York, and the Navy would lose aircraft in Maine. Principi asked, “Are you really comfortable with the recommendation on Otis” if there is a need for immediate response to an attack? Keating’s response: “I am comfortable.” After further discussion, commissioner James Bilbray concluded: “I’m not certain the people in the Northeast would agree on that.”
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.