The “Scorpions” of the 603rd Air Control Squadron from Aviano AB, Italy, are coordinating air support for coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Since deploying to Kandahar Air Base earlier in January, 86 members of the 603rd have been using radars to provide command and control of all aircraft flying over Afghanistan. Preparing for this deployment took eight months for the unit, which comprises career fields from radar controllers to civil engineers to vehicle maintenance and intelligence, and which is “always in the deployment bucket,” reports Air Force journalist SrA. Sarah Gregory.
NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones
Sept. 16, 2025
NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.
