The 311th Airlift Squadron was inactivated Friday at Peterson AFB, Colo., as part of the Air Force’s plan to consolidate the C-21 fleet. “The 311th Airlift Squadron maintained a proud tradition of excellence and continued to uphold the highest standards of professionalism set by past airmen,” said Lt. Col. Mark Keener, the unit’s commander. “At any given time our unit was deployed providing valuable theater airlift in Southwest Asia, supporting warfighting efforts in Operations New Dawn, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, as well as Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa. We have provided world-class operational airlift support to our nation’s highest ranking civilians as well as senior military leaders.” The unit stood up as a geographically separated unit of the 375th Air Mobility Wing in 2005, but its origins can be traced back to 1975, according to a release.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…