It Went, It Conquered, It Came Home:
The prototype Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, designated Air Vehicle No. 3, first sent to Southwest Asia in 2002 should arrive back at Edwards AFB, Calif., on Feb. 20. The Air Force has operated the prototype in the global war on terror for more than four years, during which time it amassed 4, 245 combat flying hours. It has been replaced by production model Global Hawks.
The House Armed Services Committee on June 4 approved an amendment to a key defense policy bill that would bar the Air Force from retiring E-3 Sentry aircraft through fiscal 2027.