An Air Mobility Command Phoenix Raven team deployed to Southwest Asia provided security for a C-17 airlifter dispatched to a remote airstrip in Afghanistan with an Afghan Presidential entourage they picked up earlier in Kabul. Capt. Teresa Sullivan reports that the two Raven-trained Security Forces airmen—SSgt. Mike Kincaid and A1C Joseph Celata—began at 4 a.m. to organize their equipment, which includes a variety of weapons. Ravens are trained to fly with and protect AMC aircraft and crews that must fly into high-threat areas. Kincaid deployed from the 62nd Security Forces Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash., and Celata from the 305th SFS at McGuire AFB, N.J.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.