The 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron inactivated on Nov. 1 following a ceremony at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, where the unit has run command and control operations via remote radar, radio, and data link hubs since 2006, working to guide and maintain control of aircraft across US Central Command. The mission is now owned by the 727th EACS, said Lt. Col. Stuart Williamson, the 71st EACS commander. Since 2009, the 71st EACS has also worked to support operations in Afghanistan, focusing on command and control and battle management tasks to support troops conducting combat operations. In addition to the squadron’s work in Afghanistan, the 71st EACS has coordinated and worked with numerous C2 agencies and has also worked to take over combined defense of the Arabian Gulf when the unit was tasked with the role, said Lt. Col. Christopher Wachter, the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III rebuffed criticism that the F-35 program has proved too costly and unreliable to serve as the viable backbone of America’s and allies' future fighter fleet on April 30. “I would not categorize the F-35 as a paperweight,” Austin said in response to questioning…