The Air Force turns out the lights out at Satellite Operations Center-52 at Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif. SOC-52—also called the “blue cube”—had operated for 36 years, supporting both USAF and civil space operations. Its functions transferred to Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., in 2004.
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.