The little airlifter that could

The C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft program changes have reduced conflict between the US Air Force and the Army. Air Force officials are still working to transition the program and its mission to their sole purview while anticipating a smaller fleet. The stakes are high. The airlifter is scheduled to make its initial deployment next March 2011, and the expected destination is Afghanistan. The program, which began in 2005 as a joint Army and Air Force venture, has stirred some old service rivalries centered on the issue of the direct-support airlift mission. Gates added that the C-27J, which had been hailed for its ability to land just about anywhere and go deep into the fight, would give the military access to only one percent more runways than a C-130 could. And with hundreds of C-130s not deployed overseas, the active and reserve components had adequate lift capability to respond to needs at home and overseas.