After Hurricane Katrina devastated Keesler AFB, Miss., last summer, the base suspended its normal training mission but joined in humanitarian operations, even as it began tackling hurricane damage at the base. Keesler officials say that, as of mid-December, base efforts amounted to 291 missions involving 10 or more personnel. The base delivered 122,736 meals ready-to-ear, 187,660 pounds of food and clothing, 239,227 gallons of water, clocking more than 20,000 manhours. According to TSgt. Julie Sargent, NCO in charge of Keesler’s humanitarian relief operations office, the mission number could be “three times” greater.
Multiple B-21s are undergoing ground tests and being prepared to join the two aircraft now in test flight, and the Northrop Grumman is negotiating with the Air Force about how expanded production for the bomber could be accomplished, president and CEO Kathy Warden said Oct. 21. She also suggested a…