There is a simple way to help answer high-demand C-130 tactical airlifter taskings in Southwest Asia, says Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve head, and that’s to rotate C-130 crews in the same manner that the reserves now do with fighters—on a 40-day schedule. Bradley said Tuesday morning at a Washington seminar that he has talked with Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, Air National Guard chief, and both agree that such a plan would work since it has worked well with F-16 and A-10 crews. “I don’t think the C-130 business is any more complicated than the A-10 or F-16 business,” he continued, noting that Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley also thinks it’s a good idea.
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.