First responders at Edwards AFB, Calif., trained with their civilian counterparts to secure a simulated F-35 crash site in nearby California City, Calif. Dummy 911 calls kickstarted the April 4 Desert Wind exercise, which allowed the groups to hone their coordination and communication, according to a release. California City police officers arrived at the scene of a faked UK F-35 crash first. Joined by the California City, Bakersfield, and Kern County fire departments, they encountered fires, debris, and injured civilians. After tackling the fire and treating the injured, the civilian responders turned the scene over to 412th Test Wing responders and security forces, who cordoned off the area.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.

