The airmen from Dyess AFB, Tex., who maintain the tactical airlift workhorse of Southwest Asia—the C-130H Hercules—have gotten a new semi-permanent complex in which to repair and maintain the high demand transports. Their old one was a collection of homemade wooden structures and old tents known as “shanty town.” The new area comprises five “California” tents that double the workspace and will have better lighting and stable flooring. Of particular note, too, is the fact that the 317th Maintenance Group from Dyess provides the only C-130H mechanics in Southwest Asia. The group’s two maintenance squadrons have been alternating deployments every 120 days since October 2001.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.