The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB, Ill., Air Mobility Command’s hub for global airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation operations, received an overall rating of “excellent” in the mission capability inspection that it just underwent. AMC’s inspector general office carried out the inspection, which concluded earlier this week. The MCI evaluated the center’s ability to execute its planning and tasking, command and control, and mission support functions. “The IG team gave us a good, hard look,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, TACC commander. He added, “I couldn’t be more proud of this organization and the things its personnel have accomplished.” Col. Jerry Martinez, AMC’s inspector general, also had accolades: “This inspection was extremely thorough and you should be very proud of your accomplishments,” he told the TACC’s airmen. (Scott report)
B-52 Stratofortress bombers marked a new first in Operation Epic Fury when some of the BUFFs flew over Iran carrying JDAM-guided gravity bombs, according to people familiar with the matter. The development signals a weakening of Iranian air defenses and a new use for the venerable bomber in the nearly…