Airmen
and C-130Js from Ramstein AB, Germany, wrapped up a week-and-a-half of training and skills qualification with the Polish air force during Exercise Screaming Eagle IV at Powidz AB, Poland. “Poland provides an excellent place for our aircrews to increase proficiency on several different flying scenarios, as well as training opportunities for maintainers, aerial porters, and the airborne personnel we have here,” said Capt. Dean Brown, pilot with Ramstein’s 37th Airlift Squadron and an exercise planner. Ramstein survival specialists made high-altitude, low-opening, parachute jumps with Polish special forces, and aerial porters had the rare opportunity to practice night-vision-equipped loading operations, according to Ramstein’s Aug. 1 release. “At Ramstein, we cannot get the flightline completely dark, so the training we conduct here is more realistic,” added 435th Contingency Response Group instructor MSgt. Jeffery Platz. The annual exercise ran from July 24 to Aug. 3. (Powidz report by SrA. Aaron Wainwright)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

