Air Force Special Operations Command officials believe the command will need about 5,500 people to run Cannon AFB, N.M. and operate its new special operations mission. AFSOC takes over Cannon on Oct. 1, 2007, but plans to stagger the influx of AFSOC personnel over four years. According to the Clovis News Journal, in Fiscal 2007 AFSOC anticipates assigning less than 1,500, building to 5,500 by 2010. The plan, of course, hinges upon the in-progress environmental study.
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.