According to an Associated Press report, the airmen of the 319th Communications Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., cut a ceremonial ribbon Oct. 8 for their new mission—alternate control station for the Air Force’s High Frequency Global Communication System. The system provides communications support for the White House and DOD agencies, US embassies, and military aircraft and ships. The primary system is located at Andrews AFB, Md.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.