Officials with the 47th Flying Training Wing at Laughlin AFB, Tex., last week formally opened the base’s new aircraft maintenance operations complex. It is the new home of the wing’s maintenance directorate. Col. Michael Frankel, 47th FTW commander, Michael Johnson, directorate boss, and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The center is valued at more than $7.6 million. The 47th FTW conducts joint specialized undergraduate pilot training for Air Force and allied air forces using T-1, T-6, and T-38 aircraft. (Laughlin photo caption by A1C Blake Mize)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
