In January, a C-5M transport aircraft flew to Iraq, a historic first for the new version of the massive cargo hauler. The aircraft not only delivered more than 85,000 pounds of equipment on short notice, but also arrived back at Dover AFB, Del., well ahead of schedule. “It’s satisfying to get the aircraft into the fight,” said Lt. Col. Mike Semo, C-5M program office chief and pilot with Air Force Reserve Command’s 709th Airlift Squadron at Dover. The Air Force has finished C-5M operational test and evaluation (See C-5M Operational Testing Concludes). It is transitioning the first of its 52 planned C-5Ms into normal operations. Once C-5M aircraft are cleared for direct delivery, they will be able to fly straight from Dover to Iraq without stopping en route to refuel. Still to come: the first C-5M mission to Afghanistan. (Dover report by SSgt. Chad Padgett)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.