USAF Still Assessing Hurricane Impact at Tyndall, But Leaders Say F-22 Damage “Less Than We Feared”
The number of F-22s left behind and potentially damaged or destroyed at Tyndall AFB, Fla., by Hurricane Michael won’t be disclosed this week, both because evaluations are ongoing and because of operational security, the Air Force said Monday. However, service leaders who personally looked over the situation Sunday said the F-22s were, overall, apparently “intact” and not as badly damaged as had been feared. They called the situation “promising.” Read the full story by John A. Tirpak.
Majority of F-35s Returned to Flight Following Inspections
Harris and L3 Merger Would Create Sixth-Largest Defense Contractor
The announced merger of Harris Corp. and L3 Technologies into L3 Harris Technologies would create a $33 billion company ranked as the sixth-largest defense contractor, just behind General Dynamics. The move continues a wave of big-ticket consolidation within the defense industry. Read the full story by John A. Tirpak.
Airmen, C-130J Conduct Airdrop at Belgian Base for First Time in More than 50 Years
The Air Force is testing its ability to project forces throughout Europe by dropping in to a historic base it hasn’t airdropped at in more than half a century. On Oct. 4, airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and a C-130J from the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, airdropped into the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield at Chievres AB, Belgium, according to a US Air Forces in Europe release. It was the first time the Air Force had conducted such an exercise at the base in 51 years, and comes as the Air Force is using increased funding from the European Deterrence Initiative to improve base infrastructure and positioning equipment around the region to support rapid operations if needed. This base has a newly certified assault landing zone, according to USAFE. “The objective of the exercise was to demonstrate the new capability of the airfield,” said Maj. Tim O’Rourke, director of operations for the 424th Air Base Squadron which operates out of the Belgian base. “In doing so, we were able to contribute to the readiness and training for tactical airlift crews and airborne units.
RADAR SWEEP
—Defense Secretary Jim Mattis makes second trip to Vietnam this year, signaling US efforts to counter China’s influence in the region: Associated Press.
—A sailor assigned to the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss., was reportedly shot and killed inside of military housing at Keesler AFB, Miss.: Stars and Stripes.
—The 200th Airlift Squadron, a former geographically separated unit of the 140th Wing that was based at Peterson AFB, Colo., was inactivated on Oct. 14 in a ceremony at Buckley Air Force Base. The squadron was established in 1946 and has flown the C-47, C-57, C-131, Cessna 0-2 Skymaster, T-43A, C-26B, and most recently the C-21A Learjet: DOD release.
—US airmen and representatives from eight partner nations gathered at Fairchild AFB, Wash., to kick off planning for Air Mobility Command’s Mobility Guardian 2019: AMC release.
—A Wisconsin Air National Guard base was shut down for a few hours on Sunday after a vehicle breached the security gate. A member of the 128th Security Forces fired a shot, but no injuries were reported. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department arrested three people in incident: The Journal Sentinel.