The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, held a groundbreaking ceremony in mid October on Camp Losano, its new headquarters compound. “The new headquarters symbolizes the growth and expansion of the US Air Force and our partnership between the US, coalition nations, and the citizens of Afghanistan,” said 1st Lt. Zaqueo Salazar of the 451st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. Completion of this work, costing about $7 million, is scheduled for next spring. The new compound will include a medical clinic, 14 two-story billeting facilities housing 500 to 700 airmen, and three hardened buildings with a total of 18,000 square feet for wing administrators. (Kandahar report by SSgt. Angelique N. Smythe)
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.