An E-3 AWACS command and control aircraft participating in Cope Tiger in the Pacific couldn’t complete an aerial refueling with a KC-135 because of bad weather, but instead of canceling its mission, the E-3 crew flew back to Korat RTAB, Thailand, to ground refuel some 65,000 pounds and then rejoined the exercise. “I’ve seen such a quick turn only once in my 20 years of flying AWACS missions,” said Maj. David Alexander, a 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron mission crew commander. The E-3 belongs to the 962nd AACS at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, but was flying with a mixed crew including airmen from the 961st at Kadena AB, Japan. The 961st AACS E-3 is down for maintenance, so Elmendorf provided the aircraft for this rendition of Cope Tiger. (Cope Tiger report by Capt. Renee Lee)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
