Airmen deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia continue to support “increased operations” in the air and on the ground covering missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, reports journalist Capt. Wes Ticer. B-1B aircrews of the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron typically spent 12 hours flying out of an 18-hour day over the past week. The surge in operations also meant the bombers’ maintainers put in longer hours. “Around the clock, you can walk through our area anytime and you won’t see anyone who is not busy,” said CMSgt. James Sanders, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent. He also credited the 379th AEW’s supply specialists with keeping the surge running.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
