Pacific Air Forces showcased USAF airpower for the first time in the country of Brunei, flying demonstrations during the Brunei Darussalam International Defense Exhibition. An F-16 from PACAF’s demonstration team at Misawa AB, Japan, graced the crowd with daily performances throughout the week-long event, July 2-9. A C-17 from the 15th Wing at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, performed a fly-by and was also on static display. The demonstration team also put on a ground show and had an F-16 static display. “We are honored and excited to be a part of BRIDEX 2011, especially during the 50th anniversary of the Brunei Defense Force,” said Maj. Mike Pasquino, C-17 demonstration pilot. “It has been an outstanding opportunity to work with our Pacific partners,” he added. Estimates were that more than 150 international delegations attended this year’s event. (Brunei report by SSgt. Marie Brown)
Pentagon officials overseeing homeland counter-drone strategy told lawmakers that even with preliminary moves to bolster U.S. base defenses, the military still lacks the capability to comprehensively identify, track, and engage hostile drones like those that breached the airspace of Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 days in December…