US Central Command’s Deployment and Distribution Operations Center has begun a test to see whether commercial air cargo transport measures up to the military task in Iraq and Afghanistan, US Transportation Command Announced this week. The test began July 17 and will run 45 days in order to validate the cost and effectiveness of the new scheduling of air cargo traffic, with some commercial carriers being tested to see if they can handle increased cargo requirements. TRANSCOM planners estimate that 15 to 20 routes now flown by military aircraft may be better served by commercial air. CENTCOM estimates put savings under such a move at approximately $600,000 a day.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.