To reduce the exposure of ground troops in Iraq, the Air Force has been flying more and more people and gear that otherwise would travel by truck convoy. Gen. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, told Pentagon reporters yesterday that “100 percent of what can fly has been off the road since September [2006].” That’s a lot of cargo and a lot of people. In the peak month, Moseley said USAF flew 9,000 troops who otherwise would have gone by convoy; the load averages about 4,500 people a month.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.