The 
Air Force’s small fleet of Battlefield Airborne Communications Node-equipped E-11A jets flew its 3,000th sortie from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in direct support of coalition forces in that nation. “It’s a great honor and feeling of satisfaction knowing our missions have such a significant impact supporting the ground and air forces in theater,” said Lt. Col. Paul Bedesem, an E-11A pilot with Kandahar’s 451st Tactical Airborne Gateway, in commenting on the milestone sortie on July 14. Airmen and contractors of the 451st TAG operate the E-11As as overhead communications relays to help ground troops overcome the communications limitations imposed by Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain. The modified Bombardier BD-700 business jets augment the Air Force’s BACN-outfitted EQ-4B Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft. The 451st TAG reached 3,000 sorties in less than four years of operating in theater, according to the unit’s July 18 release. (Kandahar report by Alexandra Hendrickson)
Now Enlisted Airmen Can Stay in Uniform Longer
Dec. 8, 2023
The Air Force is extending the amount of time Airmen can spend at most enlisted ranks by two years, as the service looks to combat sluggish recruiting and balance its force structure. The High Year of Tenure (HYT) program sets limits on how long service members can spend in each grade…