For the first tim
e in more than four years, B-52H bombers and their crews from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., and 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, La., came together Oct. 28 at Minot to participate in a combined, rapid-launch training drill. A total of seven B-52s from the wings gathered for the event, which occurred under the auspices of Minot’s Prairie Vigilance 09-2, a week-long series of aircraft generation/employment and aircrew testing/certification exercises to validate the 5th BW’s ability to execute its emergency war order mission. “We were able to mass rapid and decisive firepower,” Lt. Col. Rolando Diaz Jr., chief of 5th BW plans and programs, said of the joint drill. He continued, “Our combined forces successfully integrated to perform this important mission. It was definitely a team success.” (Minot report by Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz)
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.