Airmen 
with the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron supporting a deployed contingent of EC-130H Compass Call aircraft at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, have helped these platforms and their aircrews amass impressive statistics in combat operations. Through the maintainers’ efforts, the EC-130s have flown more than 24,000 hours in 4,000 sorties, assisting ground troops in capturing roughly 600 high-value individuals and 4,500 other persons of interest, and in seizing 340 weapons caches, according to unit officials. “Making these milestones happen with an aging fleet and a steady deployment rotation is challenging,” said Capt. Lisa Stokey, 455th EAMXS EC-130H officer in charge. She added, “I can honestly say this is one of the most impressive aircraft maintenance squadrons I’ve ever been a part of.” Compass Call aircraft carry equipment that denies, degrades, or disrupts enemy communications. They left the Iraqi theater in August 2010. (Bagram report by MSgt. Mary Davis)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.