Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter assured the nearly 3,000 recently furloughed civilian employees at Hill AFB, Utah, that despite the drawdown in Afghanistan, the base will continue to play a “big part” in the Defense Department’s future. “You will host the F-35, which is the linchpin of our tactical future,” said Carter. Hill will be the home of the F-35A depot. In fact, the first strike fighter slated to undergo maintenance work arrived at the base in September. Carter acknowledged the blow to morale caused by the furloughs, saying “it’s disgraceful, it’s inexcusable, it’s embarrassing.” He added, “It shames us in front of others around the world that we can’t manage our own internal affairs better.” (AFPS report)
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.