Removing co-pilot from KC-46 would reduce casualties

What kind of idiots are running the Air Force?

Yeah, take one crew member from the three, casualties go down if the aircraft goes down. There’s one less crew member to die.

Apparently, ranking somebodies in the AF believe China will take out a bunch of tankers if we and they start shooting at each other.

From Air Force Times

“Air Mobility Command is discussing the option as part of how it may handle war in the Indo-Pacific, where it believes large, slow jets including tankers would be more vulnerable to attack from Chinese anti-aircraft missiles. Shrinking the number of airmen onboard a tanker could help minimize potential troop casualties while still getting combat jets the fuel they need.”

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/07/18/air-force-considers-removing-co-pilot-from-boeing-kc-46-tanker-crews/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_militarytimesonline&fbclid=IwAR20PZPg_OZ4d3RRBz4BkiuwUWVKBpjNXI-eHs6cgPfbKqNg8D0v_oLi4Dw

So, the AF is admitting the likely loss of tankers, but believes those not shot down will give “combat jets the fuel they need.”