Airmen have taken over operations at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq from US marines, activating there the 532nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron on Dec. 15. The US drawdown in Iraq prompted the shift of responsibility. Al Asad currently is the only facility designated to receive US commercial aircraft on flights directly from the US. The unit’s newly installed commander, Lt. Col. Barry Dickey, declared that the unit would maintain “the best airfield, with the best aerial port and security in the area of operation.” (Al Asad report by SrA. Jarrod Chavana)
The Air Force plans to start buying thousands of advanced new handheld radios in 2027 for downed aircrew to communicate with search-and-rescue forces, a capability spotlighted earlier this year during the recovery of two aviators shot down in Iran.