Air Forces Southern hosted five Argentinean Air Force pilots in late January at Luke AFB, Ariz., for five days of interactions on fighter combat tactics. There the Argentine airmen learned how USAF conducts F-16 training by participating in surface attack and basic fighter maneuvers along-side US airmen. The visit was sponsored under US Southern Command’s subject matter expert exchange initiative. “The perspective our airmen obtain from working alongside partner nation military experts is invaluable,” said Lt. Col. Troy Hewgley, 12th Air Force branch chief for theater security. But the exciting part is the benefit is mutual. This training allowed our Argentine partner to fly some of the best training ranges in the world and work closely with pilots with extensive wartime experience.” (USAF report by TSgt. Kerry Jackson)
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.