The last active duty C-9 Nightingale left Ramstein AB on Sept. 20 for its permanent home at Andrews AFB, Md., where it will be added to the base’s air museum collection. The aircraft is a modified DC-9 that entered service in 1971 as an aeromedical aircraft and also flew operational and dignitary airlift missions. The Nightingale has been in line for retirement since 2003, due to its short range capability, and it was too noisy to meet noise restrictions at many airports.
On Jan. 4, a dozen U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors departed Puerto Rico, where they had landed following their participation in Operation Absolute Resolve. Those fighters appeared to have flown directly from their home base at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to participate in the operation and returned there two days…

