More than 50 airmen and three KC-135s from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 203rd Air Refueling Squadron returned to JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam earlier this month from a deployment to Southwest Asia. The airmen, including support personnel from the 154th Wing, deployed for four months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and came home in two groups, on June 16 and June 20, according to a 154th Wing release. The 203rd ARS’ latest deployment to US Central Command’s area of responsibility was part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Gregory Woodrow said he consistently receives comments on the “professionalism and Aloha” his airmen bring to the fight, according to the release.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.