Air Force leaders told lawmakers that the outcome of the past Mobility Capabilities Studies would have called for more C-17s had the service not been forced to sustain costly and less effective older model C-5s. Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne told House appropriators Monday that the Congressional hold on retiring C-5As leaves the service “with a reasonable amount of C-17s.” And, if that weren’t clear enough, Wynne responded to continued questioning with, the service is buying “enough” C-17s, “if we can’t get rid of the C-5s.” He explained that there are 59 A model C-5s that USAF would like to retire because the C-5A “normally breaks,” making it an “expensive airplane.” (Congress has prohibited the Air Force from retiring around 340 older aircraft of varying types; read “Under Lockdown.”)
In a rare letter to the entire force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach is telling Airmen to stay ready to support Operation Epic Fury, the massive U.S. operation against Iran.