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 field exercise, which took place last week. The purpose was to ensure that the wing was ready to accept $40 million worth of new facilities that NATO constructed. During field training exercise 11-02, the Afghan airmen assessed the wing’s response to everything from command and control to personnel accountability and medical care. During the drill, on-scene commanders directed the response after Afghan security forces spotted smoke that indicated a fire. Wing firefighters rapidly responded and got the fire under control, while demonstrating proper use of firefighting equipment. Firefighters also safely removed three mock casualties and a medical team established a triage area. (Kandahar report by Capt. Rob Leese)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
