The Air Force plans to introduce the newest variant of the Huey family of helicopters, the TH-1H, on Nov. 5 at the Randolph AFB, Tex., air show, which this year commemorates the base’s 75th anniversary. The TH-1H sports an advanced avionics “glass cockpit,” among other upgrades over previous models. USAF expects to have 24 TH-1Hs in its inventory by 2009. The first class to use the new trainer is slated for summer 2007.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.