Airmen of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit in Southwest Asia over the past four months have supported some 3,200 sorties. To maintain that pace and “keep everyone out of the heat as much [as] possible, reports SSgt. Jason Barebo, the unit has trained all its personnel in launch and recovery operations. “This is the only base where the entire specialist flight performs launch and recovery, not only in the area of responsibility, but also Air Force wide,” said TSgt. Kevin Kuehn, who is deployed there from Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
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…