Kyrgyzstan government officials were treated to show and tell by US Air Force airmen at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. (Are these the same guys who almost kicked us out over a yearlong rent hike hassle?) They got to fly aboard a USAF KC-135 tanker and see a C-17 airlifter get loaded up and refueled in the air.
Air Force senior statesmen explained the reasons they jointly sent a letter to Congress urging restoration of the E-7 Wedgetail and more F-35s to the fiscal 2026 defense budget.