The Air Force sent its first small diameter bomb-equipped warplanes—F-15Es from RAF Lakenheath, England—into action in Southwest Asia earlier this month. Among the people and units making that possible were the munitions experts of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, reports Air Force journalist Maj. Anne Knabe. “It’s exciting to be part of this cutting-edge technology,” said A1C Nahtana Williams, a munitions apprentice.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.