One of the benefits of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa now supervising theater security packages is raising readiness in mission areas where forces would otherwise have to find opportunities back in the US, command officials told Air Force Magazine recently. For example, the command recently sent a TSP of A-10s to do combat search and rescue training in England with the 56th Rescue Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, UK, prior to the squadron’s deployment. “They would normally have to go get that stateside if they went back for Red Flag, or other training,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Brandt, the chief of USAFE-AFAFRICA’s operations and training branch. In addition to TSP assets, European Reassurance Initiative funds are also used to bring extra tankers to aid fighter movements around the continent, said Col. David Trucksa, chief of USAFE-AFAFRICA’s training, readiness, and exercises division. ERI helps fund many of the engagements across Europe because it is “not cheap to move fighter units around,” Trucksa said. As TSP units have moved around Europe these extra tankers aid movement between locations and support operations with allies, he added.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.