Airmen in Afghanistan continue to replenish ammunition and other critical supplies to coalition ground forces engaging Taliban fighters, delivering the supplies on the money but from higher altitudes to keep the airlift aircraft out of harm’s way. The key is the new Air Force-Army Joint Precision Airdrop System and the Improved Container Delivery System. Army SSgt. Heath Bennett, a drop zone coordinator, told USAF journalist SSgt. Carlos Diaz, “Airdropping the supplies to us is the most effective way,” and added, “There could be instances when the weather is too inclement or certain location don’t allow for ground delivery.”
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.
