The first and only USAF C-130 squadron based in the Southwest Asia theater has one airlifter that is hauling not supplies but a communications suite to provide better communications capability for ground convoys. Personnel from all the services operate the Joint Airborne Command and Control Command Post—or Jackpot to squadron members—which fits into the back of a 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 and relays communications. Officials say the Jackpot system, in the few weeks it has flown, has gotten praise from ground commanders.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
