A C-130J deployed from Dyess AFB, Tex., became the first airplane to make use of a newly constructed C-130 hangar at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, according to base officials. The C-130J, operating as part of Kandahar’s 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, parked in the hangar for the first time on Sept. 28, they said in an Oct. 5 release. Kandahar is home to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing that operates numerous aircraft types providing aeromedical evacuation and casualty evacuation; airborne communications relay; close air support; combat search and rescue; command and control; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and tactical airlift capability. (Kandahar photo caption by SrA. Jack Sanders)
The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, defense officials leading the campaign said March 5 at U.S. Central Command headquarters. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed.