A deployed EQ-4 Global Hawk, supporting the fight against ISIS, recently surpassed the milestone of 1,000 continuous sorties without a single maintenance cancellation. The Global Hawk, deployed with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, passed the milestone while on a surveillance mission on April 1. The aircraft used its battlefield airborne communications node to help coalition assets communicate as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a Air Forces Central Command news release. The Global Hawks regularly fly 25-30 hour missions to meet the constant demand. “Hitting 1,000 in a row speaks to the importance of the BACN mission regarding its direct impact on the warfighter and I think that it says a lot about the stellar professionals filling the maintenance ranks from top to bottom,” said Maj. Rolly, a recent 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, in the release.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…