The Air Force’s latest force restructuring plan includes establishing a reserve component formal training unit at Little Rock AFB, Ark., to take over C-130H2 training from the active duty 62nd Airlift Squadron—part of a C-130 compromise USAF worked with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command. According to an AFRC release, the switchover is to be complete by 2012, but the aircraft will be at Little Rock by fall 2011. AFRC expects to have about 100 airmen in the new FTU by the start of 2012. Ultimately, the plan calls for a mix of 383 traditional reservists and 323 full-time air reserve technicians. The shift also enables USAF to redistribute about 559 active duty slots to other locations.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.