The Air Force on Sept. 19 activated the 2nd Weather Group at Offutt AFB, Neb., where it became part of the Air Force Weather Agency, joining the 1st WXG, activated last year. G.A. Volb reports that the new group, which completes the agency restructure, provides a direct leadership level for three squadrons—2nd Systems Operations Squadron ad 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt and 14th WXS (formerly the Combat Climatology Center) at Asheville, N.C.—that were grouped under the agency’s A-staff. Col. Richard Twigg, AFWA vice commander and commander of 2nd WXG, said the activation of his new unit is “the conclusion of a plan to clearly distinguish ongoing operations from planning and support functions.”
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.