Air Force Space Command medics from Peterson AFB, Colo., wrapped up a 10-day exercise in Ecuador last week, during which they visited four isolated towns to treat some 7,000 Ecuadorians. In one day, Feb. 7, the 21st Space Wing medics treated 1,500 patients. (The AFSPC team expected to see about 750 per day.) They were aided by Ecuadorian military security and medical personnel as part of the US Southern Command medical readiness exercise.
The Air Force ramped up operations and maintenance spending to keep its F-35A fighters flying over the past six years, but readiness continues to lag behind goals, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.