US Pacific Command activated the airmen of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen AFB, Guam, sending them to the area hit by the Feb. 17 mudslides to assess the situation for air support. The airmen, who were in the Philippines for the Balikatan 06 exercise, initially were put on 12-hour alert when the disaster struck. Officials say that many of the 36th airmen were among those who provided aid during the 2005 tsunami relief effort.
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.