Japan-based airlifters assisted the Malaysian air force with joint-service interoperability, airdrop tactics, and operational safety during an exercise at Subang AB, Malaysia. “Teak Mint has never failed to reach our goals and expectations of revolutionizing a potent combat air mobility force,” Royal Malaysian Air Force Maj. Azril Omree bin Dato’ Hasbullah said in a release. An MC-130J Commando II of the 17th Special Operations Squadron from Kadena AB, Japan, and a C-130H of the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota AB, Japan, flew alongside RMAF C-130s during the exercise May 26 to June 13. Air Force crews trained their RMAF counterparts on night-vision flying, as well as preparation and deployment of low-cost, low-altitude airdrop, according to the release. Airmen shared US operational risk management practices with RMAF safety officials and they” plan to include it in their day-to-day operations as a systematic and continuous process,” added 353rd Special Operation Group safety chief Maj. John Huntsman.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.