According to the latest demographics from the Air Force, the active-duty service comprises 65,722 officers and 263,372 enlisted personnel. There are 13,065 pilots, 4,234 navigators, and 1,262 air battle managers in the rank of lieutenant colonel and below. Women make up 19.58 percent of the active force, including 559 pilots, 229 navigators, and 151 air battle managers. About 60.6 percent of the active force is married.
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.