The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing has begun its annual journey to Antarctica. The first ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules departed Stratton ANGB, N.Y., on Oct. 14 and is in staging at Christchurch, New Zealand, according to a release. Two more of the ski-equipped airlifters and 23 airmen left the base Tuesday in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Two more aircraft are scheduled to depart within a week. Between 300 and 350 missions—transporting scientists, fuel, supplies, and medical equipment as well as measuring ice depths—are planned for the season that runs through February. About 120 airmen will be deployed at any one time.
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
