A C-17 assigned to JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, was formally dedicated as the “Spirit of Daniel Inouye,” the late veteran Hawaii senator and Medal of Honor recipient, during a ceremony at the base last week. Of the Air Force’s 223 C-17s only five are named in honor of specific individuals, said Col. Randall Huiss, the 15th Wing commander, in a release. Tail number 5147 was renamed in an Aug. 19 ceremony to honor Inouye’s contributions to Hawaii, and his work to support the US military during his tenure in the Senate. Inouye served in the US Army during WWII with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe, and was nearly fatally wounded. He was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery and heroism, which was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in 2000. Elected as Hawaii’s first representative, he went on to serve nine terms in the Senate before his death in 2012. “We are a nation bound by principles and ideas and Sen. Inouye dedicated his life to those principles,” said Maj. Gen. Paul McGillicuddy, Pacific Air Forces vice commander, during the renaming ceremony.
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.