Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III, commander of US Central Command Air Forces, praised the work of coalition forces at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, during a last trip through his area of responsibility. “Bagram has continued to evolve and has become more and more effective as an airlift center and producer of close air support,” said Buchanan. He noted that the Afghanis are beginning “to get on with the business of life,” adding that there is still “a long way to go,” but he believes the coalition “will be victorious.” Buchanan is scheduled to retire this spring.
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…