Air Force Space Command crowned the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., USAF’s best ICBM unit May 9 at the awards ceremony for the command’s annual Guardian Challenge competition. The best space launch wing is the 45th SW at Patrick AFB, Fla., while the 50th SW at Schriever AFB, Colo., won the award for best space operations wing. The Space Development and Test Wing, at Kirtland AFB, N.M., earned the prize for best systems wing. For the full list of this year’s winner’s, click here for MSgt. Kate Rust’s full report. Guardian Challenge has been held since 1994.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.