Daily Report

Dec. 13, 2010

Pilot Error Cited in Fatal C-17 Crash

Pacific Air Forces’ investigation into the July 28 crash of a C-17 near JB Elmendorf, Alaska, has found clear and compelling evidence that “pilot error” caused the mishap that claimed the lives of the four airmen aboard. “The pilot violated...

Mountain Home Eyed for Saudi Fighter Training

Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, is the Air Force’s preferred location to host Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA training. The Saudis are building a large force of sophisticated F-15SAs under a newly approved US foreign military sale. As part of the...

New C-17 Arrives at Charleston

A new-build C-17 transport arrived at JB Charleston, SC, last week, bringing the total number of C-17s assigned to the base’s 437th Airlift Wing to 58, reports Charleston’s The Post and Courier. Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, commander of Air University...

Rescue Airmen Add Blood to Life-Saving Kits

Pararescuemen with the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, have begun carrying units of blood with them on rescue missions for the first time since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. The reason, they said, is that USAF...

Crowding the Skies over Luke

Dozens of F-16s, plus additional aircraft types, will take to the air above Luke AFB, Ariz., on Wednesday for Cactus Starfighter, a large-force training exercise for the 310th Fighter Squadron and 310th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. While Luke student pilots are...

AWACS Upgrade Targets Fratricide Reduction

The Air Force has tested a new version of the identification friend or foe, or IFF, system for E-3 AWACS aircraft. It holds the promise of dramatically improving the aircraft’s ability to identify targets, thus decreasing the risk of friendly...

First Reserve Component Airmen Graduate SERE Course

SSgt. Andrew Dunn of Air Force Reserve Command’s 514th Air Mobility Wing at JB McGuire, N.J., and A1C Brian Alfano of the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Squadron in Westhampton are the first two reserve component airmen to...

First F-35 STOVL Production Engine

Pratt and Whitney has delivered the first F-135 STOVL production engine for the F-35 strike fighter program. This milestone “demonstrates our commitment to fielding the most advanced military jet engine technology,” said Bennett Croswell, Pratt’s vice president of F119/F135 engine...

Eielson Airman Awarded Bronze Star

MSgt. Juliet Gudgel, a quality assurance superintendent with the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska, has received a Bronze Star medal for her meritorious service in Iraq. Gudgel served as the military transition team first sergeant and logistics...

Afghan Air Force Hits the Field

The Afghan air force built upon its productive year of growth by planning and executing a field exercise on its own. Maj. Gen. Raziq Sherzai, Kandahar Air Wing commander, selected a facilities fire-response scenario for the fledgling air force’s third-ever...

Air Sorties from SWA 120310

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Dec. 3, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 23 71 97 26,089 CAS/Armed Recon 16 64 80 33,201 Airlift 155 155 58,482 Air refueling 48 48 16,373 Rescue 35 35 7,667 Total...