Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is now the site for the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, headed by 14th Air Force commander Maj. Gen. William Shelton. The head of US Strategic Command, Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, presided over an activation ceremony for the new JFCC Space, which he said should “spearhead the transformation in space.” At the same time, STRATCOM is dissolving the JFCC Space and Global Strike in favor of two separate entities: JFCC Space and JFCC Global Strike and Integration. Cartwright acted upon a suggestion from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley in separating the two functions, which is slated to become effective in July 2007.
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.