The director of Army Aviation, Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Mundt, warns that budget cuts currently planned by Congress could deal a serious blow to progress of the Air Force-Army Joint Cargo Aircraft. According to a July 19 American Forces Press Service release, the general believes the trims could delay production by as much as two years and drive up the price. Plans call for the JCA to replace the Army’s C-23 Sherpa, C-26 Metroliner, and C-12 Huron, as well as some limited C-130 missions. Mundt said the Army hopes to get initial JCAs in fiscal 2007. The two services signed a JCA memorandum of agreement in June.
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.