Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, said Tuesday that he expects a solution will be reached over what has become a controversial transfer of some C-130 transports from the reserve components to the active duty. “We are going to find a compromise that meets the needs of the states and … the Air Force,” he told defense writers in Washington, D.C. He added, “I hope we get there quickly; I hope it is an integrated solution.” McKinley did not discuss details, preferring to let the Air Force leadership be the ones to make any announcement. But it’s already been revealed that the solution might entail the temporary transfer of the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130s instead of a permanent switch. He said, too, he expects the decision to reflect that C-130 inventory must be reduced to shed excess capacity.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…