January 2014/$5 The Pacifi c Abhors a Vacuum New Tanker Air Force JROTC Aircrew Management January 2014, Vol. 97, No. 1 FEATURES 4 Editorial: Speaking Softly and Carrying a Big Stick By Adam J. Hebert Bombers allow the US to defend its allies without going to war. 20 The Pacifi c Abhors a Vacuum By Marc V. Schanz At AFA’s Pacifi c Air & Space Sympo- sium, top USAF offi cials touted the in- creasing need for engagement across the Asia-Pacifi c region. 26 The Tanker Nears Takeoff By John A. Tirpak After more than a decade of fi ts and stops, USAF’s next tanker is almost here. 32 Finding Luc Gruenther By Peter Grier An F-16 crash was neither the begin- ning nor the end of this story. 42 How Many Aircrew? By Rebecca Grant Rated aircrew management is a constant struggle, with ever-shifting 20 variables. 48 Building the Pilot Force Photography by Jim Haseltine Randolph’s 12th Flying Training Wing keeps the Air Force stocked with ca- pable new pilots. 57 AFJROTC in a Holding Pattern By Peter Grier In recent years, the Air Force-inspired high school citizenship program saw more students, instructors, and units than ever. But plans for growth are fall- ing victim to shrinking budgets. 60 Warbirds By Frederick A. Johnsen Restoring vintage aircraft to like-new condition takes time, money, exper- tise—and lots of TLC. 67 The Feeder Force By John T. Correll Graduates of the Civilian Pilot Training program had a head start toward fl ying About the cover: A B-52H fl ies a training for the AAF in World War II. mission from Andersen AFB, Guam. See “The Pacifi c Abhors a Vacuum,” p. 20. Photo by Jim Haseltine. 42 AIR FORCE Magazine / January 2014 1 48 www.airforcemag.com Publisher: Craig R. McKinley Editor in Chief: Adam J. Hebert 60 Managing Editor: Juliette Kelsey Chagnon Executive Editors: Michael C. Sirak, John A. Tirpak News Editor: Amy McCullough Senior Editor: Marc V. Schanz DEPARTMENTS Senior Designer: Heather Lewis 6 Letters Special Projects Manager: Gideon Grudo Designer: Darcy Lewis 9 Aperture Assistant Managing Editor: Frances McKenney Ignoring China’s ADIZ; Senkakus in the spotlight; A worst-case budget Associate Editors: Aaron M. U. Church, pays off; Too many bases .... June L. Kim, Merri M. Shaffer Production Manager: Eric Chang Lee 11 Chart Page: Is “Zero” Really a Great Photo Editor: Zaur Eylanbekov Idea? Media Research Editor: Chequita Wood 12 Air Force World Contributors: Walter J. Boyne, John T. Correll, Robert S. Dudney, 18 Index to Advertisers Rebecca Grant, Peter Grier, Jim Haseltine, Frederick A. Johnsen 47 AFA National Leaders Advertising: Andraea Davis, Mohanna Sales Representative 56 Verbatim 214/291-3660 [email protected] 72 AFA National Report 75 Reunions 1501 Lee Highway Arlington, Va. 22209-1198 76 Airpower Classics: Pe-2 Tel: 703/247-5800 Telefax: 703/247-5855 [email protected] Circulation audited by AIR FORCE Magazine (ISSN 0730-6784) January 2014 (Vol. 97, No. 1) is published monthly by the Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway, Business Publication Audit Arlington, VA 22209-1198. Phone (703) 247-5800. Perodical postage paid at Arlington, Va., and additional mailing offi ces. Membership Rate: $45 per year; $110 for three-year membership. Life Membership (nonrefundable): $600 single payment, $630 extended payments. Subscription Rate: $45 per year; $29 per year additional for postage to foreign addresses (except Canada and Mexico, which are $10 per year additional). Regular issues $5 each. USAF Almanac issue $8 each. Change of address requires four weeks’ notice. Please include mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209-1198. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Trademark registered by Air Force Association. Copyright 2014 by Air Force Association. 2 AIR FORCE Magazine / January 2014 You have the right to share, connect and transact. And you have the right to do it with peace of mind. That’s where LifeLock protection comes in. LifeLock offers sophisticated identity theft detection technology, award-winning member support and comprehensive resolution services. With LifeLock® membership, you can live with the freedom of knowing your personal information is protected by the industry-leader in identity theft protection. Now that’s peace of mind. Try LifeLock Membership FREE* For 30 Days | Plus Get 10% OFF Use Promo Code: AFA14 1-800-LifeLock | LifeLock.com AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION AFA VETERAN BENEFITS ASSOCIATION *At the end of the 30-day trial period, your card will be billed automatically ($9.00mo/$99.00yr plus applicable sales tax for standard LifeLock identity theft protection or $22.50mo/$247.50yr plus applicable sales tax for LifeLock Ultimate™ service) unless you cancel within the 30-day trial period. You can cancel anytime without penalty by calling 1-800-LifeLock. Offer is for new LifeLock members only. ©2013 LifeLock, Inc. LifeLock, LifeLock Ultimate and “Relentlessly Protecting Your Identity” are trademarks or registered trademarks of LifeLock, Inc. Editorial By Adam J. Hebert, Editor in Chief Speaking Softly and Carrying a Big Stick n late September, Gen. Mark A. Welsh There has been much talk about how To stave off any miscalculation on IIII visited China—the first Air Force China’s unknown military intentions China’s part, Hagel emphasized this Chief of Staff to visit the communist increase the risk of “miscalculation.” point: “The United States reaffirms its nation in 15 years. When he gave his Overlapping air defense zones clearly long-standing policy that Article V of first extensive comments about the trip increase this risk. the US-Japan mutual defense treaty to the press Nov. 13, Welsh said he and China has some history here. applies to the Senkaku Islands.” his party were “beneficiaries, I think, of In April 2001, a series of increasing- But the US was not limited to words. It a charm offensive.” ly aggressive aerial intercepts ended carries a “big stick” in the form of its military There were a long series of high-level when a Chinese J-8 fighter jet collided forces in the Western Pacific, specifically, military-to-military meetings between with a US Navy EP-3 surveillance in this case, B-52 bombers staging out of top US and Chinese officials in 2013, aircraft over international waters. The Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. and Welsh saw the opportunity for Chinese pilot was killed as his aircraft Two days after China announced its greater communication going forward. crashed, and the damaged EP-3 was ADIZ, the US flew two B-52s into the Still, Welsh bluntly said, “I don’t know zone on a routine training mission. The what their ambitions are.” bomber crews did not ask China’s per- Ten days later, the Chinese gov- Bombers allow the US mission for the flight, and China wisely ernment abruptly and unexpectedly to defend its allies without did not attempt to stop them. instituted a new air defense identifi- going to war. This was actually the second time cation zone (ADIZ) over a vast swath in 2013 the US engaged in high-profile of the East China Sea, angering the bomber diplomacy. Back in March, two US, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea forced to make an emergency landing B-2 stealth bombers flew a very public in one fell swoop. on China’s Hainan Island. The 24 US mission to South Korea. North Korea Air defense identification zones are crewmembers were held and inter- was the intended recipient of that mes- not unusual. The United States has rogated by the Chinese government sage, and the message was received. them, and they are used internationally for 11 days. The DPRK quickly scaled back what as a defensive precaution. Aircraft ap- China’s new ADIZ extends east be- had been increasingly bellicose and proaching a nation’s airspace (but still yond Taiwan and much of South Korea. provocative behavior. over international waters) are typically In fact, aircraft flying a direct line from On Nov. 29, two US and 10 Japa- required to remain in contact with the Taipei to Tokyo—heading away from nese aircraft, including Japanese F-15 destination nation’s air traffic control China—will be in the ADIZ for a major fighters, flew through the ADIZ unan- network so governments know what portion of the trip. The direct path from nounced. China scrambled aircraft in aircraft plan on entering their airspace. Seoul to Taipei essentially bisects response, but was unable to prevent the Although the Chinese government China’s new zone. offended democracies from proving the claimed its zone followed international The Chinese carefully drew their impotence of China’s attempt to expand norms, it is problematic for several zone to include the disputed Senkaku its territorial claims and intimidate its reasons. The ADIZ was announced Islands, which are administered by neighbors. the same day it took effect. Japan but also claimed by China, The US will continue to support The Chinese expect all aircraft tra- which calls them Diaoyu. The move is freedom of navigation in the air and versing the heavily trafficked airspace an attempt to bolster China’s claim to on the high seas, as it should, and the of the East China Sea to submit flight the islands, and may be a precursor to Air Force will continue to fly through plans and obey air traffic controllers, attempts to similarly seize authority in the East China Sea without China’s even if the aircraft have no intention of the South China Sea. In a statement, permission. approaching China. According to the the Chinese government said it will “es- “These flights are consistent with announcement, aircraft that fail to follow tablish other air defense identification long-standing and well-known US free- instructions are subject to unspecified zones at the right moment after nec- dom of navigation policies,” a Pentagon “defensive emergency measures.” essary preparations are completed.” spokesman told Reuters.