The first C-17 squadron to deploy and operate from within Southwest Asia—the 17th Airlift Squadron from Charleston AFB, S.C.—flew more than 3,300 sorties, delivering more than 85 million pounds of cargo and nearly 100,000 US and coalition military members over its three-month rotation. And, according to an Air Force release, the squadron rated a first for having one C-17 crew conduct combat airdrops to six drop zones in less than one hour. It’s a tough act to follow, but the 14th Airlift Squadron is now in theater to continue the work.
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting buzzed with talk of countering the rapidly evolving drone threat facing the entire U.S. military, including the Air Force. Leaders and defense industry officials discussed the need for new approaches to procurement and employment of a new class of these…
