The C-130J’s deployed combat experience is felt in other ways as well. ANG Maj. Julie Petrina, a J model pilot, told reporters Monday at the AFA’s Washington conference that missions into dangerous areas are flown with aircrew members wearing survival vests, 9 mm pistols, and, after dark, night vision goggles. Engines are even left running during off-loads whenever possible, so that the aircraft can quickly take off if a threat develops. Petrina has served two tours in Southwest Asia since 2004 and is scheduled to deploy again later this year.
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…
