The Japanese Air Self Defense Force has sent five personnel—four airmen and one contractor—to Robins AFB, Ga., to train with Air Force technicians expert in aircraft battle damage repair. The JASDF liaison at Robins, Lt. Col. Masafumi Ito, said that Japan doesn’t have an ABDR training program and the latest students will replace airmen trained in the US program two years ago. The new Japanese students are focusing on F-15 and C-130 damage repair techniques.
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”