Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, who visited airmen at Balad AB, Iraq, on Dec. 9, said during a town hall meeting that he is impressed with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s mission statement: “Combat airpower for America, right here, right now.” He went on to say, “What I want to tell you all is years from now you’re going to get to say that you gave 30 million people the opportunity for freedom.” The airmen at Balad like those at Aviano AB, Italy, a few days earlier asked Wynne how long the “in lieu of” Army taskings would continue. Wynne repeated his explanation, asserting that airmen would continue to fill ILO taskings “at this particular time” but that it’s not an open-ended commitment.
Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One
Sept. 15, 2025
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…
