The Air Force is one step closer to bringing its hazards-response training in house instead of contracting it out, according to officials at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Along with Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Travis AFB, Calif., Davis-Monthan is validating the Response Training and Assessment Program before Air Force headquarters approves it, states an Oct. 24 base release. The Arizona installation hosted a headquarters-level evaluation team Oct. 17-19 to demonstrate the base’s integrated installation emergency-response training. “The RTAP visit allows D-M to showcase the capabilities of our emergency management programs and the dedicated personnel that support these programs,” said MSgt. Adam Hernandez, 355th Fighter Wing inspector general superintendent. According to the release, the training touches upon a wide range of base communities including: command and control, fire and emergency services, explosive ordinance disposal, security forces, the public health emergency officer, bioenvironmental engineering, clinical and public health, search and recovery, and mortuary affairs. (Davis-Monthan report by SrA. Brittany Dowdle)
Bell Textron has won DARPA's contest for a no-runway, high-speed drone that will prove out technologies useful for special operations forces and possibly the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment concept. Bell's design converts a tiltrotor to a jet-powered aircraft able to fly at up to 450 knots.