The Light and Dark Sides: 
The nerve center for air and space operations within the US Central Command area of responsibility is the Southwest Asia combined air operations center, which orchestrates 24/7 air support throughout the AOR, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa. The coalition forces staffing the CAOC form what they call the “light” side—the creators of air tasking orders—and the “dark” side—the watchers of real-time surveillance imagery.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
