Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of US Pacific Command, piloted the fourth C-17 destined for Hickam AFB, Hawaii, from the Boeing production facility in Long Beach, Calif. (A PACOM statement did not mention when or where the Navy fighter pilot got his big aircraft credentials.) With this fourth new transporter, said officials, the 15th Airlift Wing and the Hawaii Air National Guard 154th Wing have moved from prep to execution. Beginning this month, Pacific Air Forces will be able to task the C-17 composite unit of active and ANG airmen with regularly scheduled mobility runs.
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…