Members of Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, last week celebrated the wing’s transition to the C-17 transport during a ceremony. The base, which previously operated C-5As, is the latest Reserve unit to make the change. “The C-17 continues to be the backbone of the US Air Force’s airlift capability; the aircraft have successfully completed countless military and humanitarian missions during their years of service,” said Boeing C-17 program manager Bob Ciesla in a company release. “We know that the men and women who serve at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base can count on their C-17s to continue to perform for many years to come.” The base has received five of its nine C-17s. The remaining four are slated to arrive by the end of Fiscal 2012, according to Boeing.
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