The Air Force on Sunday intends to inactivate the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at JB Balad, Iraq. The “Dueling Dragons” have operated out of Balad since February 2006 as “the most forward-deployed” C-130 unit supporting operations in Iraq. The busy expeditionary squadron, which has flown C-130E, -H1, and –H3 aircraft, has moved more than 500,000 passengers and 79,000 tons of cargo in 43,000 airlift sorties since its inception, according to Balad officials. Unit members came together last week on Balad’s flightline to celebrate their accomplishments. “The Dueling Dragons’ can-do attitude allowed us to seamlessly support warfighters, airlift personnel, equipment, and supplies throughout [US] Central Command’s area of responsibility,” said Lt. Col. Dennis King, 777th EAS commander, during the ceremony. The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, located at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia, will absorb the squadron’s mission. (Balad report by SrA. Tong Duong)
U.S. military and law enforcement officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a high-stakes military operation on Jan. 3, a mission carried out by the Army's Delta Force and supported by extensive American airpower.
