Airmen from the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing flew their first operational mission in the mammoth C-5 airlifter, delivering two Marine Corps CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters and some 60 marines to Djibouti, Africa, for Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. The 167th AW just last year converted from the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter to the largest USAF strategic lift aircraft. Col. Roger Nye, 167th Operations Group commander, told journalist TSgt. Carrie Bernard, the C-5 proved “a lot more comfortable than the C-130,” remarking on its lack of vibration. Nye also commented that the aircrew was “taking copious notes” on the real-world C-5 flying experience to share with the rest of the 167th AW.
Pentagon Task Force, FAA to Test Counter-Drone Laser
March 7, 2026
The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force announced it would conduct a high-energy laser test with the Federal Aviation Administration less than a month after the use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border prompted the FAA to shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas.