US Central Command’s Deployment and Distribution Operations Center has begun a test to see whether commercial air cargo transport measures up to the military task in Iraq and Afghanistan, US Transportation Command Announced this week. The test began July 17 and will run 45 days in order to validate the cost and effectiveness of the new scheduling of air cargo traffic, with some commercial carriers being tested to see if they can handle increased cargo requirements. TRANSCOM planners estimate that 15 to 20 routes now flown by military aircraft may be better served by commercial air. CENTCOM estimates put savings under such a move at approximately $600,000 a day.
While U.S. military leaders worry about China as a near-peer threat, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has doubts has serious doubts about the PLA’s political reliability, leadership, and ability to mobilize, fight, and win wars, according to a new report.