More 
than 1,600 combined civilian and military personnel from the United States, Singapore, and Thailand are participating in Exercise Cope Tiger 2012 at Korat RTAB, Thailand. The two-week air-combat exercise, which runs through Friday, features field training and large-force air employments. “Our cooperation will not only ensure regional security and stability, but also provide our aircrews and personnel an opportunity to gain valuable insights and build long-lasting relationships that will benefit all nations in this region,” said Col. Marc Caudill, Cope Tiger US exercise director and wing commander. The exercise includes a total of 92 aircraft and 34 air defense units. US aircraft include A-10s, C-17s, C-130, and F-15s. Participating US airmen are from JB Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska; Jacksonville ANGB, Fla., JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Osan AB, South Korea; and Yokota AB, Japan. (Korat report by Capt. David Herndon) (See also second Herndon report.)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.