C-17 and Tanker Collide: The commander of Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Col. William J. Changose was piloting a C-17 when the airlifter and a Hawaii Air National Guard KC-135 tanker collided during refueling training some 200 miles off the island of Oahu. A Dec. 28 Honolulu Advertiser report stated the accident took place Dec. 22 at 10:30 p.m. Both aircraft landed safely, but officials acknowledged there was some damage to the tanker’s boom and tail section. The airlifter was on loan to Hickam, which doesn’t get its first C-17 until February (see below). Until the Air Force completes its accident investigation, officials would not say which aircraft was at fault. Just for the record, Changose is a veteran C-17 pilot, selected for the initial cadre of pilots for the new airlifter. He also served as a C-17 instructor pilot.
The Air Force plans to have its new Integrated Capabilities Command stood up by the end of 2024, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said May 2, offering new details of one of the signature reforms announced by the service earlier this year. Allvin said around 500-800 Airmen will…