When the Air Force’s newest C-17 airlifter arrived April 21 at its home at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., from the Boeing production facility at Long Beach, Calif., it joined the unit that also operates the oldest C-17 in USAF’s inventory. The 62nd Airlift Wing picked up the oldest C-17 from Charleston AFB, S.C., where it first flew in 1993. With this latest of the new strategic airlifters, the 62nd, and its Air Force Reserve Command associate 446th AW, now operate and maintain 51 C-17s. (62nd AW photo release)
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…