A
n Air Mobility Command Phoenix Raven team deployed to Southwest Asia provided security for a C-17 airlifter dispatched to a remote airstrip in Afghanistan with an Afghan Presidential entourage they picked up earlier in Kabul. Capt. Teresa Sullivan reports that the two Raven-trained Security Forces airmen—SSgt. Mike Kincaid and A1C Joseph Celata—began at 4 a.m. to organize their equipment, which includes a variety of weapons. Ravens are trained to fly with and protect AMC aircraft and crews that must fly into high-threat areas. Kincaid deployed from the 62nd Security Forces Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash., and Celata from the 305th SFS at McGuire AFB, N.J.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

