The 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron flew its first sortie last month at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., after its reactivation last year to become the EC-130H Compass Call flying training unit. The unit’s task is to train around 200 aircrew members each year, providing flying training and position upgrade training for 10 different crew positions, reports 2nd Lt. Mary Pekas. The unit had to pry loose some 60 instructors and support personnel from the Compass Call community without hampering the heavily tasked 41st ECS and 43rd ECS.
The Pentagon agency charged with building and operating U.S. spy satellites recently declassified some details about a Cold War-era surveillance program called Jumpseat—a revelation it says sheds light on the importance of satellite imaging technology and how it has advanced in the decades since.
