Pacific Air Forces now is slated to get the first of eight new C-17 airlifters in early February and officials tell the Honolulu Advertiser that it will immediately go to work for training flights and maintenance familiarization. After the first arrives, USAF plans to send the other C-17s to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, in three-week intervals. Planning for the new mission has been underway for more than a year by a combined force of active and Air National Guard airmen.
U.S. Space Command is working with close allies to define a joint plan for how to protect and defend space assets from threats in orbit, according to Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting.