The 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, flew its last sortie in a C-130 Hercules tactical transport on March 23. The unit, which has flown Herks for some 43 years, is transitioning to the new C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. The squadron commander, Lt. Col. Gary Gottschall commanded the last flight. Earlier this year, the unit marked its last combat flight, supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to undertake far-reaching reforms on the way the U.S. military buys weapons, promising a sweeping overhaul of the way the Defense Department determines requirements, handles the acquisition process, and tests its kit. The fundamental goal, which Hegseth underscored in a 1-hour and 10-minute speech…
