The 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, a KC-135 tanker unit operating from an air base in Southwest Asia, is currently the only unit refueling US military aircraft over Iraq. Further, it conducts about half of all aerial refuelings over Afghanistan. “[With] the amount of infrastructure we have here, based on the size of the operation, it’s pretty amazing we’re able to sustain it,” said Lt. Col. Michael Frymire, 340th EARS commander. He added, “The volume of work all these folks do is just unbelievable.” The unit has more than 30 KC-135s right now and nearly 50 aircrews, said Frymire. The squadron’s airmen are a mix of active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve personnel. Frymire credited the members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit for doing “amazing” work in keeping the KC-135s mission-ready. (379th AEW report by SSgt. Kelly White)
Multiple B-21s are undergoing ground tests and being prepared to join the two aircraft now in test flight, and the Northrop Grumman is negotiating with the Air Force about how expanded production for the bomber could be accomplished, president and CEO Kathy Warden said Oct. 21. She also suggested a…