Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper talked to airmen at
Fairchild AFB (WA) about upcoming changes in the Air Force during a
visit to the base on August 22.
He shared his thoughts
on the new uniform, deployment issues and the acquisition of new
tankers.
One change he mentioned was what's going to happen to the Air
Force, which is researching a replacement for the current battle
dress uniform.
"Anyone who wears the current uniform knows the first time you
take it to the dry cleaners that will be the last time any air
passes through it. And a lot of times we find ourselves out on
ramps in 115-degree temperatures," he said. [He didn't comment on
the availability of dry cleaners in battle zones --ed.]
Researchers are experimenting with the same materials the
Marines use in their new uniforms. "With the borrowing of the
material, we also borrow the durability and wash-and-wear
characteristics, which saves our people money," said Jumper. "Right
now we are still in the test stages," he said. "We are still
playing with the different camouflage patterns."
Three hundred uniforms are being tested in hot and cold
conditions, and the people doing the testing and suggesting the
improvements are airmen doing their jobs out in the field, Jumper
said. "All I ask is that you give (them) a try, and then decide if
you like them or not," he said.
Tanker Deal Should Be
Quick
Addressing the proposed lease of new aerial refueling aircraft,
the general said if the deal is closed, he is confident the
transition will be quick.
Air Force officials selected, and the Defense Department has
approved, the Boeing 767 as its tanker candidate. The new aircraft
will be able to deliver 20 percent more fuel than the 43-year-old
KC-135E model. It can be refueled in flight and has the capability
to refuel Air Force, Navy, Marine and allied aircraft on every
mission.
"We should be able to do the same mission with fewer airplanes,
and we don't take away the crews, so the crew ratios will be
higher," he said. "If you have a higher crew ratio, you get an
airplane that is more reliable (and is) available more of the time,
and we should be able to make this job easier even if the ops tempo
stays high," Jumper said.
"We have proven in our recent battles that we are the world's
greatest Air Force," he said. "And, while it may be tough to
constantly improve the best, the Air Force continues to do so."
[Thanks to Airman Christie Jurgens, 92nd Air Refueling Wing
Public Affairs --ed.]