The Defense Department has directed the Air Force to organize a Civil Aviation Intelligence Analysis Center to coordinate interagency monitoring of civil air traffic. Under the plan, USAF will “coordinate and synchronize DOD support for the civil aviation intelligence mission,” while “maintaining relationships with key civil aviation intelligence stakeholders,” according to a directive issued by Michael Vickers, DOD undersecretary for intelligence, July 29. Staffed by the 29th Intelligence Squadron currently at Fort Meade, Md., “or successor organization,” the instructions mandate a strategy review and development of requirements to begin monitoring civil aviation for potential security threats by Fiscal 2013. The center’s mission will be to detect, monitor, and analyze daily air traffic and to “warn of illicit activity or threat to the United States, its allies or interests involving civil aviation,” according to the missive.
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…