During the latest Koa Lightning exercise, which featured B-52 bombers flying from Andersen AFB, Guam, to Hawaii, the bomber crews got to drop inert weapons on the Pele Bombing Range. TSgt. Steven Wilson reports that the aircrews received targeting information from joint terminal attack controllers on the ground. “Absolutely nothing beats dropping ordnance on a target in terms of training value, especially for our younger aircrews,” stated Col. Damian McCarthy, 36th Operations Group commander at Andersen. The bombers have been deployed to Andersen from Barksdale AFB, La.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

