The Army’s I-Corps Air and Missile Defense Detachment at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., now shares quarters with USAF’s 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, part of the 1st Air Support Operations Group under Pacific Air Forces. This marks the first time such an integration has been undertaken by a Corps-level AMD detachment at its home station. Airmen and soldiers of both units had deployed together to Iraq. Air Force Col. Rob Evans, 1st ASOG commander and I Corps air liaison officer, said, “It was critical that we joined forces to better train and prepare our deploying tactical air control parties [USAF] and brigade combat teams [Army], leveraging the experience these soldiers and airmen gained while working together in Iraq.” Army Brig. Gen. Heidi Brown, I-Corps deputy commanding general for sustainment, on a visit to the units, expressed “excitement about the unlimited potential and possibilities” with this joint teaming. (I-Corps report by Spc. Jason Mayes)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
