Hurricane Florence Watch: Base Evacuations Continue, Staging Operations Expand
Air Force bases along the East Coast continued aircraft evacuations on Wednesday as Hurricane Florence approached, while other military locations further inland have become staging areas for the government’s response to the storm. Shaw AFB, S.C., on Wednesday, sent its F-16s to Tyndall AFB, Fla., as the Category 4 storm continued to barrel toward the coastline. Shaw’s evacuation follows other bases in the area, including JB Charleston, S.C.; JB Langley-Eustis, Va.; and Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
Sheppard T-38s Resume Flying After Mishap
USAF, Navy Combine Physiological Incident Investigation Teams
The Air Force is joining forces with the Navy to further investigate unexplained physiological events as hypoxia-like incidents continue in both services. The Air Force and Navy on Tuesday announced the Joint Physiological Episodes Action Team, which will combine data, research, and resources to “improve safety and combat readiness,” Brig. Gen. Edward Vaughan, the head of the Air Force-Physiological Episodes Action Team, previously known as the Unexplained Physiological Events Integration Team, said in release. This USAF group was convened in January to investigate a series of hypoxia-like incidents that impacted the T-6 fleet, among other aircraft. —Brian Everstine
Mattis, Pompeo Certify Saudi Efforts to Reduce Civilian Casualties in Yemen
Arizona Air National Guard F-16s Participate in Czech-Led Exercise
F-16s from the Arizona National Guard’s 195th Fighter Squadron and supporting airmen, are participating in the Czech-led Exercise Ample Strike 2011 at Namest AB, Czech Republic. The Sept. 3-14 exercise will also include Air Force B-52s. It is aimed at improving forward air controllers’ and joint terminal attack controllers’ skills, as well as improve standardization and interoperability among NATO members and partners. In addition to the B-52Hs, from the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., USAF KC-135s from the 55th Air Refueling Wing of the Nebraska Air National Guard will also participate, according to the announcement. Other countries participating include Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Sweden, according to NATO. –Steve Hirsch
RADAR SWEEP
—Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday confirmed that two of the 55 boxes of remains recently returned from North Korea have been identified: UPI.
—The Air Force Reserve Command will hold an officer continuation board Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 offering officers in high-demand career fields who have failed to promote at least twice an opportunity to continue serving: AFRC release.
—The Air Force Academy Wings of Blue skydiving team won a championship medal Tuesday in mixed formation skydiving during the US Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships: KRDO.com.
—The Trump administration is pushing to change the categorization of drones under the Missile Technology Control Regime as part of efforts to make it easier to export military drones: Defense News.