Officials cut the ribbon on the 612th Combined Air Operations Center at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., May 9, formally opening the newest of the Air Force’s five Falconer AOCs. The 612th CAOC, which will carry the name of Air Force legend Jimmy Doolittle, will help 12th Air Force conduct operations in US Southern Command’s area of responsibility but could “support operations worldwide,” says Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th AF and Air Force Southern commander.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.