Lawmakers queried Robert Gates, now Defense Secretary designate, about his view of the National Security Personnel System, now in partial implementation due to ongoing litigation. In his set of advance policy questions, Gates replied: “Reforming civil service rules to make our civilian workforce more adaptable, flexible, and agile is critical to the future of the department.” He continued, saying NSPS is necessary to develop “the right mix of people and skills” and that he planned to review NSPS “to see if any further changes are required.”
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.