The Air Force’s RC-135 Rivet Joint platforms continue to provide a constant presence in Southwest Asia—earlier this year they racked up 6,000 days—and fulfill both national and tactical mission requirements, reports Capt. West Ticer. Among its capabilities, Rivet Joint mission crew members can “provide threat tippers via a classified chat capability, which enables us to cross-cue with other intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance and combat platforms who might be in the area … to give our warfighters a more complete picture,” said Lt. Col. Karen Bridges, commander of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.
Meink Sworn In as Air Force Secretary
May 16, 2025
Dr. Troy E. Meink was sworn in as the next Secretary of the Air Force on May 16, placing a career civil servant with extensive experience in space intelligence at the helm of the Air Force and Space Force.