Officials at Shaw AFB, S.C., have begun moving the base’s oldest squadron to Pope Field, N.C. The 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron originally activated in December 1971 as the 682nd Direct Air Support Center Squadron. It’s tasked with providing theater air support and processing requests for close air support and tactical air reconnaissance. It also is one of five Air Force squadrons that act as an air support operations center, according to a Shaw release. Once the move is complete in June 2012, the squadron will be co-located with the 18th Airborne Corps, the Army unit it is attached to. However, it will maintain a presence at Shaw throughout the transition process. Maj. Bill Lee, squadron commander, said the move has been in the works since the 1990s. “The vision has finally become a reality, but we could not have done it without the 20th [Fighter Wing’s] help.” The official relocation ceremony was held July 22.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…