Air Mobility Plan, 2008 - The Black Vault

a significant role in retention and reenlistment rates. The high operations tempo is not
limited to active duty as the workload on the Air Reserve Component is high even when
not mobilized or deployed.
The MAF leads the Air Force in developing the Total Force—we have learned valuable
lessons during over 30 years of experience in sharing the mobility mission. We are just
beginning to see the effects of new relationships between active and reserve component
units; the personnel and divestiture savings derived from these efforts will aid our
recapitalization and modernization programs. We commonly think of associate units
with a flying mission—associations are taking place across a wide range of mission areas
from intelligence squadrons, logistics support centers and contingency response groups.
We must continue to further explore new and innovative ways to improve Total Force
operations.
Recapitalization and Modernization
I am committed to providing our people the very best equipment possible as they go into
harm’s way. Our mobility fleets are aging and we must continue recapitalization efforts
of the entire air mobility enterprise to provide the increased air mobility capabilities that
the warfighters require to be effective on the battlefield. We also need to continue to
modernize our legacy fleets to ensure they meet the evolving demands of the operating
environment. Recapitalization and modernization efforts must be carefully integrated to
maximize our capabilities in a fiscally constrained environment. Process improvements,
streamlined operations, and elimination of excess or unnecessary capabilities can help
fund, or enhance the effectiveness derived from recapitalization or modernization
programs.
Commander’s Intent
The KC-X, a commercial derivative KC-135 replacement aircraft, is our number one
acquisition priority and will enable the United States to project combat capability
anywhere on the globe. It will fill shortcomings in the current air refueling capability
and will be equipped with defensive systems, be receiver capable, allow for multi-point
refueling, have up-to-date navigation, communication, and surveillance equipment
plus be capable of boom and drogue refueling operations on the same mission. Built
with cargo floors and oversized doors, the new aircraft could assist in the airlift of
personnel, patients, and cargo. As this aircraft is being procured, we need to continue
other modernization programs to keep the current air refueling fleet viable. The aging
KC-135 has been stressed from continuous-engagement combat operations reaching
back to 1990 and it is becoming increasingly expensive to keep in the air. We plan to
retire the KC-135Es and execute the KC-135R Global Air Traffic Management program
that improves the aircraft’s operational readiness and gives it the communications,
navigation, and surveillance upgrades necessary to operate in worldwide airspace. We
expect to have continued access to global airspace by completing similar modifications to
the KC-10. Air refueling missions are flown worldwide and must be capable of operating
in a threat environment. Defensive systems and chemical, biological, radiological, and
nuclear (CBRN) counter measures are essential for the air refueling fleet.
OCT 07
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