The Air Force recently asked one of its noncommissioned officers to stand up an expeditionary squadron—no sweat. TSgt. Lisa Bitton, a 13-year veteran, pulled together the makings for a new operations support squadron at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Bitton deployed to Bagram from Minot AFB, N.D., where she serves as an aviation resource manager, two weeks ahead of the rest of the other unit members. She credits other airmen at Bagram with helping her arrange the location, communications, supplies, and vehicles necessary for the OSS to function. Bagram activated the unit to handle increased flight operations.
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.”