The airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 6th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., must deliver their weather satellite data to customers within 10 minutes of download—and the 6th SOPS currently is the only unit providing critical sandstorm data to coalition forces in Southwest Asia. “The quicker we can get this data to them, the faster they can batten down the hatches and do whatever they need to do,” says Lt. Col. Byron Hays.
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.