Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III, commander of US Central Command Air Forces, praised the work of coalition forces at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, during a last trip through his area of responsibility. “Bagram has continued to evolve and has become more and more effective as an airlift center and producer of close air support,” said Buchanan. He noted that the Afghanis are beginning “to get on with the business of life,” adding that there is still “a long way to go,” but he believes the coalition “will be victorious.” Buchanan is scheduled to retire this spring.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.