Travis Unit Flies Last C-5 Flights: The 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif., has flown its last flight abroad in the huge C-5 airlifter and will make its last local flight this week. The squadron and Air Force Reserve Command’s 301st AS are transitioning to the new C-17 airlifter. The 21st AS flew its last world mission to South Carolina to pick up supplies for Balad AB, Iraq; flew to India to pick up two Marine Corps helicopters and personnel supporting President Bush’s visit; dropped the marines off in Hawaii; then back to Travis. The 21st AS officially becomes a C-17 unit on April 3.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.