An acquisition team at Hanscom AFB, Mass., delivered on short notice a Tactical Automated Security System to enhance the protection of US military personnel deployed to dangerous areas of Africa. “This has been an incredible display of what we do here: delivering rapid protection solutions to our warfighters,” said Lt. Col. Jason Avram, Force Protection Branch deputy chief, in Hanscom’s April 30 release. TASS is a rapidly deployable suite of cameras, thermal imagers, and radar that integrates with the existing Installation Intrusion Detection System, enabling security forces to remotely monitor and detect intruders attempting to breach an installation, states the release. “TASS is going to greatly impact our ability to detect intrusions and respond accordingly,” said MSgt. Christopher Rochefort, a security forces noncommissioned officer in charge at one of the receiving bases. The Hanscom team received an urgent request for this capability in December 2013; in less than 80 days, it delivered TASS ahead of schedule and at a reduced cost, according to the release. (Hanscom report by 2nd Lt. Adam Kelly)
Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One
Sept. 15, 2025
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…
