Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) criticizes a recent Washington Post article on the Air Force’s airlift situation, writing in a letter to that newspaper that the Congressional effort to procure additional C-17s is “not an attempt to resurrect a ‘pet project.’ ” (We reported on this Post article earlier.) In his letter to the editor, Saxton criticizes the Bush Administration for not “realistically planning for future airlift requirements” and criticizes Congress for “parochial interests” that delayed C-5 retirements. Saxton favors buying additional C-17s and letting the Air Force decide when to retire old aircraft.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.