The new C-17 force at Travis AFB, Calif., embarked on its first collective deployment as a squadron late last month. The 21st Airlift Squadron, which received its first new C-17s in August 2006, deployed en masse to Southwest Asia to more efficiently employ the unit’s few aircraft and crews, according to Maj. Gregory Goar, 21st AS assistant operations officer. He explained: “Air Mobility Command developed a concept of operations involving the forward deployment of C-17 airlift squadrons in cycles. This allows combatant commanders to take better advantage of the C-17’s tactical airlift capabilities.” Another C-17 squadron from Charleston AFB, S.C., has also deployed to the SWA theater of operations. AMC began stationing C-17 units in the region in 2006. (Travis report by TSgt. Matthew McGovern)
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.