An insurgent rocket attack at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, early on the morning of Aug. 21 local time injured two airmen and damaged the front of a C-17 transport and one of its engines, said officials at the base. The two maintainers suffered cuts and bruises, they said. This particular C-17 was the aircraft that transported Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey to Afghanistan on Aug. 19 on his official visit. The incident mimicked previous attacks, said the officials. They noted that Dempsey “was never in any danger” and there was no indication that the insurgents were targeting him. (AFPS report by Jim Garamone)
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.