It is now becoming clear that USAF’s EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft have been key to protection of coalition ground forces in Afghanistan. They have filled more than 1,500 air support requests since November 2004. The aircraft, flying out of Bagram Air Base, are manned by members of the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz. Lt. Col. Dean Worley, 41st EECS commander, says provision of electronic support is not a new thing; what is new, however, is the fact that Compass Calls are working routinely with ground units down to the battalion level and even below at times. Ask for an impact assessment from Army Brig. Gen. James Champion, head of operations for Combined Joint Task Force-76, and he says, “I can tell you soldiers rest easier knowing the EC-130s are flying overhead.”
The Air Force has spent more than two years studying cancer risks to Airmen who work with the service's intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now lawmakers in Congress are placing fresh scrutiny on the issue and have prepared legislation that would direct the service to clean silos and launch facilities.