Travis Unit Flies Last C-5 Flights: The 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif., has flown its last flight abroad in the huge C-5 airlifter and will make its last local flight this week. The squadron and Air Force Reserve Command’s 301st AS are transitioning to the new C-17 airlifter. The 21st AS flew its last world mission to South Carolina to pick up supplies for Balad AB, Iraq; flew to India to pick up two Marine Corps helicopters and personnel supporting President Bush’s visit; dropped the marines off in Hawaii; then back to Travis. The 21st AS officially becomes a C-17 unit on April 3.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability prevail. “Peace through strength” has...