The Air Force civil engineers that keep the water flowing—and treated—at Kirkuk AB, Iraq, and Forward Operating Base Warrior, are critical because unlike stateside where treated water may go into a stream or river to be reabsorbed into the environment, the water in Iraq goes directly back into the water table from whence it came. It is non-potable water—not used for drinking—but, officials say, the more than 100,000 gallons of waste water CE treats each day still must go through a 12-hour cleaning process.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.