T
he first of eight new C-17 strategic airlifters arrived at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where the active 517th Airlift Squadron and a new Air National Guard unit—the 249th Airlift Squadron—will share operation and maintenance duties. The 517th formerly flew C-130 tactical airlifters and gave up its last Hercules in March. SSgt. Francesca Popp reports that the units, which should receive their final C-17 in November, each provided crew members to fly the first Elmendorf C-17, named the “Spirit of Denali,” to the Alaskan base.
The 13th Fighter Squadron from Misawa Air Base, Japan, deployed its new F-35A fighters to a major exercise for the first time, sending them to Pacific Air Forces’ premier air combat training event: Red Flag-Alaska.