The Air Force plans to reduce the number of airmen who support retiree funerals from 10 to seven, beginning Nov. 1. SSgt. Madelyn Waychoff reports that three factors affected this decision: the service’s drawdown of airmen, a continuing high operations tempo, and an increasing number of retiree funerals. Those seven airmen from a base honor guard will serve as pallbearers, flag folders, flag presenter, bugler, spare and firing party.
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.