For 12 hours on Nov. 8, an all-Air Force Reserve Command crew were the sole handlers for the Space-Based Infrared System Highly Elliptical Orbit satellites, operating from the mission control station back-up at Schriever AFB, Colo., according to a Dec. 15 release. The airmen are members of the Reserve Associate unit Det. 1, 8th Space Warning Squadron, 310th Space Wing at Schriever. “This historic event marked the second time in the history of space-based missile warning that an all-Reserve crew performed missile warning,” said Lt. Col. Mark Gruenewald, Det. 1 commander. He continued, saying that the first time was on Nov. 3, 2002, when the 8th SWS “performed SBIRS Increment 1 operations using legacy Defense Support Program satellites out of the Mission Control Station at Buckley Air Force Base [Colo.].” (Det. 1 report by Lt. Col. Andrew Peeples)
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has flown a second YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, stepping up the pace of testing for the new uncrewed fighter escort. The company also announced “Gambit 6,” a fresh variant in its CCA family meant for air-to-ground missions.
