New USAF Force Hard at Work: The new US Air Force operation at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq comprises strike (an A-10 element for close air support) and airlift operations, including the 438th Aerial Port Flight—a collection of Reserve airmen from 11 different units, reports Capt. Ken Hall and MSgt. Bryan Ripple. Since starting operations in January, the 438th airmen have processed more than 32,000 forces, 15,528 tons of cargo, and more than 2,600 aircraft. Their efforts have made it possible to eliminate convoy duty and transport for nearly 12,000 troops.
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.