Support from around the country continues to flow into the Katrina devastated Gulf Coast. Even Air Force units in the upper Northwest are keeping the operations moving. Logistics readiness and aerial port airmen of AFRC’s 939th Air Refueling Wing, Portland Airport, Ore., are providing round-the-clock support to airlift some 1,700 Oregon National Guard troops and their equipment. Since Sept. 2, the Reservists have loaded and fueled more than 20 C-5 airlifters and KC-135 tankers.
The Air Force won’t finalize a new deal with Boeing for another 75 KC-46 tankers until some of the “deficiencies” with the refueler are resolved, new Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Lamontagne told lawmakers March 4.