The Air Force continued its assistance for earthquake relief efforts, with a USAF C-17 and a contracted B-747 flying in more than 235,000 pounds of medical supplies, clothing, rations, aircraft parts, vehicle parts, construction materials, batteries, water pumps, generators, and power units. As of Nov. 9, the Air Force has transported more than seven million pounds of relief supplies to Pakistan since relief operations began in October.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.