Air Forces Central activated the 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, near the Iraqi border, to coordinate tactical air control party and weather support of Army ground forces. “The Army has a ground reaction force here in the area of responsibility which acts as the US Central Command’s 911 force for the region,” said Col. Rodney Petithomme, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group commander at the April 6 stand-up ceremony. “In order to be effective, they need to have the ability to call for air support, if necessary,” he added. The squadron functioned on provisional status since 2009. It is now aligned under the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group. “It is important that we have the 82nd EASOS here along with that ground force,” said Petithomme. (Buehring report by Maj. Jillian Torango)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.