US and French rescue forces pre-positioned at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, conducted a combined personnel recovery exercise in the Grand Bara Desert earlier this month. Alaska Air National Guard HC-130s established a forward refueling point to hot-pit refuel HH-60G Pave Hawks, French air force Puma rescue helos, and army Gazelle light attack choppers on March 12. “By joining capabilities with the other PR Task Force partners … we have the ability to go out, pick up a survivor, and bring them back for advanced care” across a 2.4 million square mile AOR, said 81st ERQS Commander Lt. Col. Eric Budd in a release. The Alaska ANG’s 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron is currently deployed alongside HH-60s of Air Force Reserve Command’s 303rd ERQS, and guardian angels of the 82nd ERQS, providing rotational support to Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
US Has Struck Over 1,000 Houthi Targets in Renewed Campaign
April 30, 2025
U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, U.S. officials said, as the Trump administration’s military campaign against the militants reached the 45-day mark. Dubbed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign has drawn on U.S. Navy and Air Force warplanes and drones. The campaign shows…