Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Okla., claimed top title as “Best Air Mobility Wing” at the Air Mobility Rodeo at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash. The wing operates C-17s and KC-135s as part of Air Education and Training Command’s training mission. This year’s rodeo—a biennial, week-long air mobility competition—pitted nearly 150 teams, including 34 international crews, against one another in categories from loading and logistics to airdrop and air-to-air refueling. “We never know where we’ll be operating next,” said Brig. Gen. Frederick Martin, Air Mobility Command’s director of operations, during the July 29 closing ceremony and awards presentation. He added, “The more partnerships we can build around the globe, the better we can perform our mission.” (Lewis-McChord report by SSgt. J.G. Buzanowski) (For a full list of awards, see this Lewis-McChord release.)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.