AFSAC managed ‘behind the scenes’ logistics for largest FMS case in history

  • Published
  • By Jonathan Tharp, AF Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) -- At the end of 2020, the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate concluded a 10-year stretch of developing and managing case development and implementation logistics for the largest AF Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case in history with Saudi Arabia.
 
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced the final aircraft delivery for the $29B agreement in December 2020.   
 
AFSAC worked “behind the scenes” to accomplish all of the “unseen” critical work that goes into developing and managing FMS case logistics. The AFSAC team worked closely with the AFLCMC Program Offices and Royal Saudi Air Force officials to ensure priorities from both USAF and foreign air forces were met for the partnership and military interoperability.
 
One of the most important players in this case was Joshua Cummins, Command Country Manager for Saudi Arabia.
 
“The F-15SA is a critical component to military inoperability between the United States Air Force and RSAF,” highlighted Cummins, who took over the as CCM for this case in June of 2020.  As the AFSAC CCM for Saudi Arabia, he is essentially the main point of contact to help with anything needed by RSAF officials.
 
Throughout the case, Cummins or his predecessors met with RSAF officials on a regular basis. Normally, meetings are in-person. In 2020, all in-person meetings were translated into virtual meetings. Working with Cummins, a team of about 10 staff consisting of case managers, logisticians, and program managers managed all ‘behind the scenes’ logistics and case details necessary for effectively delivering the F-15SA capability and sustaining it.
 
Heading into the New Year, the case is entering the sustainment phase. Cummins and his team meet virtually with the Partner Nation representative(s) on a regular basis to ensure long term success using the aircraft. Later in 2021, the team is hoping the pandemic settles enough for a face-to-face follow-up about the case.