The Air Force said the flight crew of a C-130 transport ferrying passengers had to make an emergency landing in a barren field northeast of Baghdad International Airport on June 27. Details were sketchy, but USAF said in a release that same day, the incident occurred at about 1:45 p.m. local time. All crewmembers and passengers were accounted for and were taken to nearby Sather Air Base, for evaluation and any treatment. Reuters reported June 27 that the C-130 had 38 people onboard, including six crew and 32 passengers. USAF said there was no indication of any hostile fire in the incident, and Reuters reported Air Force officials suspected mechanical issues. An investigation will ensue. Damage to the aircraft has not been determined, USAF said.
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…