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 U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.