Fifteen civil engineers deployed to the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Ali Base, Iraq, came together for “a little powwow” and presto in about 100 manhours, said MSgt. John Gaskill, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 407th ECES electrical systems shop, the CEs had doubled the workspace for the Ali Base medical clinic. Don’t let the photo fool you; it wasn’t just heavy lifting. The team included CEs in structures, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and, yes, heavy equipment. Flight surgeon Lt. Col. Anthony Ghim called it “a truly amazing effort.”
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.