Several US Air Force C-130Hs are ferrying Japanese personnel and equipment to assist with relief efforts after a series of earthquakes struck the Kyushu region of Japan, according to a press release. The 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB, Japan, sent the aircraft and crews to the Kyushu region April 18. They transported Japanese heavy vehicles and recovery personnel from Chitose AB, Hokkaido, to Kyushu. Speaking to reporters during a Monday briefing, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said US MV-22 Ospreys and a UC-35 are also being used to move Japanese Self Defense Force equipment and personnel. Davis said Ecuador did not request US assistance following a recent earthquake there, but noted all 13 DOD personnel in that country were unharmed.
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.
