The Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing at Martinsburg, W.Va., is having no problem filling the extra slots created when the wing transitioned from the C-130 tactical airlifter to the mammoth C-5 strategic airlifter. The unit flew its first C-5 operational mission in April. West Virginia Metro News reports that the wing is slated to reach full operational capability by spring 2009, but the unit already has half its new manpower slots filled. The unit has been recruiting for less than two months. MSgt. Dan Jenkins, recruiting supervisor, said, “It’s all about the attitude, the people, the great working environment, the new buildings, new planes. You bring that and you’re kind of like that “Field of Dreams.” You build it, [and] they will come.”
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”