Papering Afghanistan, Again: Airmen deployed to the 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped some 300,000 leaflets as their C-130 flew over the mountains of Afghanistan recently, reports SSgt. Jason Barebo. The aircrews consider such flights “just as critical as any other,” since they help keep villagers out of the way as friendly ground forces push forward against the enemy, said Lt. Col. Michael Zick, 40th EAS commander. The flights also are made at a fairly low level, requiring the loadmasters to watch for enemy fire directed at the aircraft.
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.”