The C-17 crew from McChord AFB, Wash., thought it had flown its last Antarctic mission for this year’s Winter Fly-in, but they had to hold in place for a special aeromedical evacuation. At Christchurch, New Zealand, the McChord airlift crew from the 304th Expeditionary Squadron picked up another contingent from McChord, a medical team from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and flew back to McMurdo Station in Antarctica, reports photojournalist TSgt. Shane Cuomo. The medevac team, which had been in Christchurch on a routine training flight, converted the C-17 from cargo to the medical mission, which would transport a patient that required surgery within 48 hours.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.