The head of Air Force Reserve Command, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, flew a new C-17 transport aircraft named after the late President Ronald Reagan to its home at March ARB, Calif., on Jan. 13. Upon its arrival, former First Lady Nancy Reagan helped dedicate the new airlifter. The 452nd Air Mobility Wing at March is the first Reserve unit to fly its own C-17s. Wing officials expect to declare the unit operational this summer.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.