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.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
