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)
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
