Hank Polk, an Air Education and Training Command communications and information planner and project manager, has signed up to deploy with Air and Space Expeditionary Force 1/2 destined for Al Udeid AB, Qatar, in May. Officials say that Polk is the first Air Force communications and information civilian to volunteer for an assignment normally filled by a military member. Polk told Air Force journalist Megan Orton, he was just being part of the Air Force team. “If we can get civil servants into some of those positions to give military members a break from deployment, why not,” Polk said.
LIVE: Caine Leads Global Toast to the Doolittle Raiders
April 17, 2026
Continuing a 80-year-long Air Force tradition started by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and his fellow Raiders in 1946, the Air & Space Forces Association, Air Force and Space Force units, and AFA members around the world are raising a glass to the anniversary of the legendary Doolittle Raid.