The Afghan air force built upon its productive year of growth by planning and executing a field exercise on its own. Maj. Gen. Raziq Sherzai, Kandahar Air Wing commander, selected a facilities fire-response scenario for the fledgling air force’s third-ever field exercise, which took place last week. The purpose was to ensure that the wing was ready to accept $40 million worth of new facilities that NATO constructed. During field training exercise 11-02, the Afghan airmen assessed the wing’s response to everything from command and control to personnel accountability and medical care. During the drill, on-scene commanders directed the response after Afghan security forces spotted smoke that indicated a fire. Wing firefighters rapidly responded and got the fire under control, while demonstrating proper use of firefighting equipment. Firefighters also safely removed three mock casualties and a medical team established a triage area. (Kandahar report by Capt. Rob Leese)
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff touted his highly unusual background for the job as an asset and reaffirmed his commitment to stay apolitical during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 1.