Nearly 100 airmen gathered at Robins AFB, Ga., from communications units across the Air Force are set to conclude on Friday Air Force Special Operations Command’s annual Joint Lightning training exercise. Robin’s 5th Combat Communications Group hosted the two-week event, which gives communications specialists practice in setting up operations and effectively communicating with other units, both inside and outside the Air Force, in a realistic, dynamic combat environment. “It’s important because it gives us an opportunity to rehearse so that, when we do it for real, we are all on the same page,” said SrA. Eguzki Zellner, a participant from Hurlburt Field, Fla. Also taking part were Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command personnel as well as some Marines. (Robins report by Wayne Crenshaw)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.