Six airmen from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan recently paid a visit to children at a Bishkek hospital as part of the efforts of the Manas Air Base Outreach Society. Donning Santa hats, the airmen sang songs, passed out gifts, hoping to raise the spirits of the kids. Airmen at Manas also have built a new playground for the hospital through donated time and labor.
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.