The power of integration has never been more evident than through the refinement of the air-to-ground interface, says Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. New communications technologies that give individual airmen, soldiers, marines, and Navy SEALS the ability to interact with aircrews operating overhead has been a game changer in the special operations world in recent years, stated Schwartz during an address to special operators and members of industry Wednesday in Washington, D.C. “We can hit whatever we aim at. The question is whether it’s the correct target,” he said. He added, “The ability [with those on the ground] to interact with those above is the major development, which has made it less risky for our folks to undertake these challenging [special operations] missions.”
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.