The last C-130E transport assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB, Germany, left the base for good on Monday, marking a historic step in the unit’s transition to the new C-130J model. This C-130E, with tail number 1299, departed for Poland, which is acquiring five C-130Es from the Air Force under a foreign-military-sales arrangement. “We’re sad to see it go,” said MSgt. Jay Mitchell, flight engineer with Ramstein’s 37th Airlift Squadron, of the C-130’s departure. But he added the wing is looking forward to operating the C-130Js. The 86th AW is in the process of building a force of 14 C-130Js. (Ramstein report by SrA. Amanda Dick)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.