The Airlift Control Flight for the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, which is one of four Air Force Reserve Command ALCFs that are shutting down as part of USAF’s 2010 aircraft restructuring plan announced in June, formally closed its doors Sept. 30, according to an Oct. 15 wing release. The Reservists either found a new slot in the wing, retired, or transferred to another base. The equipment went to the AFRC unit at Dover AFB, Del. The other three closing ALCFs, whose airmen set up command and control operations at austere airfields when needed for Air Mobility Command missions, are at Dobbins ARB, Ga., McChord AFB, Wash., and Peterson AFB, Colo. (AFRC June 26 restructure release lists losing and gaining units in the ACLF restructure.)
The United States Air Force is flying less than historic norms and funding for acquisition and readiness is on a path to further hollow out this too small and old force to that is incapable of sustaining an enduring combat air campaign.
