A RAND study last year determined that “it’s risky to go to an all-standoff” approach to long-range strike, according to RAND senior analyst Alan Vick. He told attendees of AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium last week in Los Angeles that RAND concluded the United States would “have to have a way to use cheaper munitions”—than missiles costing millions of dollars apiece—if a conflict lasted more than 30 days. An adversary also could learn how many missiles are on hand and plan around the exhaustion of that inventory, he said. Because forward airfields are increasingly vulnerable to tactical ballistic missile attack, aircraft capable of reaching enemy targets from outside TBM range are becoming increasingly essential to US strategy, said Vick in his Nov. 17 address.
Like a new car from the dealership, an HH-60W helicopter touched down at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Nov. 2 with paperwork, a set of keys, and that fresh-from-the-factory smell. The newly activated 5th Helicopter Squadron accepted its first “Whiskey” in a brief but pomp-filled ceremony attended by the Air…