US Air Forces in Europe’s 496th Air Base Squadron runs a transient aircraft operation at Moron AB, Spain. Capt. Erin Dorrance reports that, in 2006, the 496th ABS provided safe harbor and services for 966 aircraft. And, its 11,180-foot runway, the longest in USAFE, serves as an emergency space shuttle landing site. The self-sufficient unit comprises 130 personnel spanning 47 specialty codes, from airfield operations to medical and civil engineering.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
