The Air Force’s aircrew egress systems technicians provide that extra measure of security for pilots flying USAF’s high-speed warplanes, when all the pilots have is 1.8 seconds to survive, reports Air Force journalist SSgt. Alice Moore in the Red Tail Flyer. Moore talked with the egress airmen who maintain, repair, and modify—when needed—the F-16 Vipers at Balad AB, Iraq. They check every egress system on each Viper every 30 days or more often if something seems amiss, working 24/7 to “provide the men and women who fly our aircraft into battle with the safest, most reliable ejection system possible,” says SSgt. Steven Rosenberg, an egress craftsman with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.
The U.S. thwarted a drone attack on U.S. forces at Al Asad air base in western Iraq on April 22, marking the first time that American troops have been targeted since February, U.S. officials said. “We can confirm it was an attack on Al Asad,” a defense official told Air & Space…