Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to move up by one year the shift of resources from its unit in New Orleans. Under BRAC 2005 AFRC had until 2007 to move the A-10 attack aircraft and personnel from the 926th Fighter Wing at NAS JRB New Orleans to other facilities. The devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina has made it impossible for the 926th to maintain its wartime readiness, said officials. The first moves take place next month, when AFRC will shift A-10s to Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Barksdale AFB, La. Other aircraft and personnel are slated to move to Buckley AFB, Colo., and Nellis AFB, Nev., later this year.
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.