Airmen and aircraft deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark., to Southwest Asia have moved into Iraq—to Balad Air Base—to reduce the distance they fly, making it possible to haul more cargo and passengers, say unit officials. The airmen of Little Rock’s 463rd Airlift Group also changed their in-theater designation to the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad.
Air Force senior statesmen explained the reasons they jointly sent a letter to Congress urging restoration of the E-7 Wedgetail and more F-35s to the fiscal 2026 defense budget.