Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, commander of US Central Command, said Tuesday the Defense Department needs to enhance the integration of intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capabilities between air and ground components in Southwest Asia. As an example, “We support a limited objective experiment to refine the requirement for a manned, armed ISR asset attuned to the unique challenges of counterinsurgency in Afghanistan,” Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on CENTCOM’s posture for Fiscal 2012. Mattis also said the Pentagon should continue investing in ISR technology, infrastructure, architecture, tools, and personnel to build on the gains already achieved in theater. (Mattis’ prepared statement)
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.