The NATO Summit at Riga, Latvia, also heralded the announcement that the NATO Response Force is now at full operational capability. “We are there,” stated Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, noting that it “wasn’t easy.” The rotational NRF comprises elements volunteered by Alliance members to meet specific requirements. It includes a brigade-sized land component, naval task force, amphibious task group, surface action group, and an air component that can fly 200 sorties a day.
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.