Pacific Air Forces now is slated to get the first of eight new C-17 airlifters in early February and officials tell the Honolulu Advertiser that it will immediately go to work for training flights and maintenance familiarization. After the first arrives, USAF plans to send the other C-17s to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, in three-week intervals. Planning for the new mission has been underway for more than a year by a combined force of active and Air National Guard airmen.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…