US Pacific Command recently concluded Operation Pacific Angel, a multinational collaborative effort to bring medical care and school improvements to two communities in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, according to a release. In coordination with ongoing efforts by the US Embassy, PACOM members joined experts from Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, and the Sri Lankan air force to provide free medical care to some 4,000 people and perform renovations on six schools in the area that serve 1,100 students. TSgt. Maybelle McKinney-Martin, 35th Medical Group physical therapy flight chief, said, “Learning how to communicate has been a difficult but very rewarding challenge. Just being able to help the Sri Lankan community alongside other nations has been a wonderful experience.” (See last year’s operation, Pacific Angel Wraps in Philippines.)
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.