Air Force Reserve Command airmen from the 304th Rescue Squadron in Oregon joined with Air National Guardsmen from the 152nd Airlift Wing in Nevada to help hunt for three hikers missing on Mt. Hood in Washington. Severe weather has hampered rescue operations, which continued into its second week. The 304th RQS at one time had 12 pararescuemen on the mountain, while Capt. Ross Wilson, 304th combat rescue officer, flew with the Air Guard airmen in their C-130, equipped with thermal imaging equipment.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.