The Air Force Reserve is “in a good place,” said Lt. Gen. James Jackson, AFR chief, on Monday in his speech at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md. “Seventy-five percent of our Air Force Reserve forces have joined since 9/11,” so they don’t know any different environment, he said. Despite the constrained budget environment, “there’s not been any further discussion” about eliminating Air Force Reserve Command, he said. “Eliminating Air Force Reserve Command and eliminating the organizational structure” to support it are two cost-saving suggestions both Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Mark Welsh oppose, he noted. However, the command, in accordance with efforts across the Total Force, will make an effort to consolidate infrastructure and will continue to try to maximize the value of its “citizen airmen,” said Jackson.
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.