Global Stare: The Air Force is working to connect data collected by the wide-area surveillance sensor Gorgon Stare into its Distributed Common Ground System and then bring all Afghanistan-based personnel working with the sensor back to the United States, said Lt. Gen. Larry James, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance during AFA’s Air & Space Conference, Sept. 17. Eventually the 13th Intelligence Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif., will be assigned the primary task of conducting that mission, he added. James said part of the goal is to reduce the number of “boots on the ground” in theater.
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…