Airmen deployed to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron in Southwest Asia are employing a roll-on communications package, dubbed Mobile Viper System, to aid secure communications for US Central Command top brass and other high-level folks visiting the theater. The package, like another in use in the theater to aid ground communications and called Jackpot, rolls on and off transport aircraft, which for Viper includes potentially either C-130s or C-17s, according to an article in Intercom. As TSgt. Charles Brown, a satellite communications maintainer deployed from Schriever AFB, Colo., says, “Some aircraft don’t have the defensive communication capabilities necessary for high-threat areas.” (379th AEW report by SrA. Tong Duong)
In a nighttime ceremony contrived to continue concealment of many of its features, the new B-21 bomber rolled out of Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif. plant Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the aircraft's advanced technology represents "deterrence, the American way."