KC-135s from MacDill AFB, Fla., moved to Pease ANGB, N.H., on Monday as Tropical Storm Colin approached the Florida coast. The tankers moved as the base ordered all non-mission essential personnel to stay home on Monday. All base customer service organizations stayed closed on Monday as the storm approached, according to a MacDill news release. Florida declared a state of emergency on Monday, with the storm bringing torrential rain and 50 mile-per-hour winds, Reuters reported.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.