Active and Air National Guard airmen at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, are absorbing their current new mission, flying and maintaining C-17 airlifters. Pilots of the 535th Airlift Squadron last week participated in a four-ship air drop training mission, getting needed multi-element training and sustaining aircrew proficiency. The Hickam C-17s already have flown real-world missions when they aided the flood-ravaged island of Kauai. Hickam also is slated to get the Air Force’s latest fighter—the F-22.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
