The power of integration has never been more evident than through the refinement of the air-to-ground interface, says Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. New communications technologies that give individual airmen, soldiers, marines, and Navy SEALS the ability to interact with aircrews operating overhead has been a game changer in the special operations world in recent years, stated Schwartz during an address to special operators and members of industry Wednesday in Washington, D.C. “We can hit whatever we aim at. The question is whether it’s the correct target,” he said. He added, “The ability [with those on the ground] to interact with those above is the major development, which has made it less risky for our folks to undertake these challenging [special operations] missions.”
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
