Members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Kirkuk AB, Iraq, on May 28 transferred authority for base security to soldiers from the 1st Special Troops Battalion. The squadron was then officially inactivated, becoming the first Air Force unit to fully withdraw from Kirkuk since the buildup of US forces there beginning in April 2003. This inactivation is part of the overall drawdown of US forces in Iraq. “To the Army and the new security team, we wish you quiet nights and peaceful days,” said Lt. Col. Theodore Ruminsky, the 506th ESFS commander. He continued, “And to the men and women of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, thank you for your service. Thank you for your support. Outstanding work, defenders.” (Kirkuk report by MSgt. Martie Moore)
Roughly two of every five fighters in the Air Force fleet could be F-35As by 2035, according to a new fighter force structure report the service submitted to Congress on Oct. 16. Lt. Gen. David Tabor, deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, revealed the new estimate during an…

