Once the sole property of USAF civil engineer and services personnel, Silver Flag now opens its doors to other specialties—any that want to learn the basics of bare-base force beddown, base recovery after attack, explosive ordnance disposal, chemical warfare operations, food service, and personnel accountability. Run at Tyndall AFB, Fla., officials say that more than 5,600 troops—active duty and reserve of all services—train at the Silver Flag Exercise site each year.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…