The Air Force Center for Civil Engineering and the Environment is constructing a 63,645-square foot hangar at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to handle corrosion control maintenance for the base’s new C-17 airlifters. An AFCEE release notes that Hickam currently has no facility large enough to handle paint and wash functions for the C-17s. The center also plans to build a 25,031-square foot maintenance shop for the new aircraft. Despite the island’s traditionally good weather, Hickam does get trade winds on a routine basis that make outdoors operations too hazardous. AFCEE expects to complete work on the C-17 projects in December.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3