The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is in good health, now that the various companies participating have consolidated following an unprofitable spate 18 months ago, Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Arthur Lichte said Wednesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference. There was risk that some participants would go out of business, but now with Congressionally mandated work, participants are generally in the black. That’s fine for now—”there is no end in sight” to the need to resupply US forces in Afghanistan, Lichte said—but he’s not sure what will happen if the effort in Southwest Asia starts ramping down.
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…