US Air Force airlifters have been operating around the clock to deliver blankets, firewood, medical supplies, and food to areas of Afghanistan cut off by extreme cold and deep snow. Winter makes such mission more urgent; however, since such humanitarian missions began in October 2004, airmen have dropped more than 2.1 million pounds of aid. According to USAF journalist SSgt. Melissa Koskovich, the Southwest Asia air mobility division average about four aid drops per week to areas selected by the Afghan National Army.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.