KC-135 tankers from RAF Mildenhall, England, have been providing the aerial refueling needed to keep the airlift of people and supplies moving to and from the Middle East. Last week airmen of the 100th Air Refueling Wing helped the transit of USAF MH-53 Pave Low helicopters from Mildenhall’s 352nd Special Operations Group to Cyprus. Since then, the 100th ARW, which has the only USAF tankers permanently stationed in Europe, have been refueling various military aircraft aiding the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.