Twelve F-16s and about 200 airmen are deploying to Osan AB, South Korea, from New Jersey this month to provide security in the region. The airmen and jets from the 119th Fighter Squadron at Atlantic City ANGB, N.J., are deploying as part of a US Pacific Command Theater Security Package, according to an Air National Guard release. The rotations are routine, yet the deployment comes at a time of increased tensions on the Korean peninsula as North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles. The F-16s will augment Fighting Falcons already based at Osan with the 51st Fighter Wing.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.