The C-5M program is “doing pretty well” and “succeeding,” Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told reporters Monday, and he expects that the Reliability and Re-engining Program will go forward. Noting that Congress has voted to add more C-17s to the strategic airlift fleet, he asked that Capitol Hill “not block us from retiring C-5As,” which are not getting the structural and engine upgrade, so that the strategic airlift fleet can be maintained at about 300 tails. (Also see Super Galaxy Sets Records)
Fixing the Air Force’s chronic combat pilot shortage will require more aircraft in the fleet, more flying hours to squadron operations, and retaining more pilots within Reserve components, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.