Airmen of US Central Command Air Forces are continuing airlift efforts for Pakistan earthquake relief efforts. On Sunday and Monday, four C-17s airlifted more than 192,000 pounds of supplies and equipment. As of Oct. 17, USAF officials said C-17s have flown into Pakistan a total of 938,000 pounds of cargo, 182 pallets, and 69 passengers. They also noted that a C-17 airlifted seven soldiers from Qatar with their mobile hospital. USAF C-5s have flown US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Texas to Pakistan. Airmen from active duty, Air Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command units around the country often have formed mixed crews to support the relief effort.
In the wake of a major Chinese military shakeup, the head of U.S. Space Command warned of China’s “breathtakingly fast” advances in space during visits to Japan and South Korea. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting’s trip to the Indo-Pacific is his first overseas visit since taking command of SPACECOM in January.