The Pentagon designated the Air Force to ensure the Defense Department gets reimbursed for expenses related to military support to Hurricane Katrina. Officials calculate the tab at about $1.6 billion. The money is to come from FEMA, Homeland Security, or whoever is going to provide those funds,” says John Vonglis, acting Air Force assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller. Vonglis considers the role an honor that reflects “superb skill in financial management, our people skills, our processes, and our systems.” No offense to the Air Force’s sharp comptroller corps, but we bet USAF got the short straw.
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.