The Air Force sent a team from Charleston AFB, S.C., to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., to train a select group of airmen how to load C-17 airlifters so they can serve as loadmaster augmentees should the service need them. According to a report by 2nd Lt. Kerry Fields at Charleston, the Davis-Monthan airmen come from a variety of career fields. USAF believes this training will add to its capabilities for the war on terror by producing airmen who can aid a fully trained loadmaster in the not-easy tasks required for loading and unloading various cargo.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
