The 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron just flew 18 hours non-stop in the latest Koa Lightning exercise, reports MSgt. Art Webb. The B-52 bombers that deployed from Barksdale AFB, La., flew from Andersen AFB, Guam to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and back to participate in scenarios meant to enhance their combat skills as well as test the endurance of aircrews. Koa Lightning included flights where aircrews faked taking on ground targets in Hawaii so they could practice defensive moves while simulating bomb dropping.
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.