Airmen and F-16s from the Alabama National Guard’s 100th Fighter Squadron in Montgomery touched down at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on a six-month combat deployment, according to a Bagram release. This mark’s the unit’s first tour in Afghanistan, states the May 2 release. First Lt. Samuel Kniskern, 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron intelligence officer in charge, said the Alabama air guardsmen will serve the entire six-month rotation, something unusual for Air Guard units, which usually swap out more frequently. The F-16s arrived on April 27. These airmen will provide over-watch and close air support during their time at Bagram. “I think morale is pretty high; everyone realizes it is a six-month deployment and we are all digging in together,” said Kniskern. (Bagram report by SSgt. Evelyn Chavez)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.