Two Air Force Reserve Command KC-135s from March ARB, Calif., are in Australia, where they’re supplying aerial refueling for forces participating in the US Pacific Command-directed Talisman Saber, an exercise designed to increase interoperability between US and Australian forces. During an initial sortie for the exercise, which runs through July 25, the Reserve airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron refueled two B-52 bombers deployed from Barksdale AFB, La. Both the USAF tanker and bomber forces are part of the latest PACOM theater security package rotation that is operating out of Andersen AFB, Guam, through August. (Andersen report by SSgt. Jennifer Redente)
The United States Air Force is flying less than historic norms and funding for acquisition and readiness is on a path to further hollow out this too small and old force to that is incapable of sustaining an enduring combat air campaign.
