Army civil engineers completed final construction of a strategic airlift apron, freight loading dock, and new passenger terminal at Shindand Air Base in western Afghanistan. The $18 million expansion project “will play an important role as the coalition begins to move equipment and personnel out of theater,” said Col. John Hokaj, Shindand commander. The 56,000-square-meter loading apron “allows us to keep the runway in operation as we load and unload our large strategic-lift aircraft,” added Hokaj. Before construction of the passenger terminal, Shindand officials had to process personnel transiting the air hub through a makeshift tent facility. “The service members who will fly out of this excellent, modern, and well-constructed building will thank all the members of the team who made this facility a reality,” said Col. Ben Wham, Afghanistan Engineer District-South commander. Engineers turned the apron over to the Air Force on Jan. 11. (Shindand report by Mark Ray)
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.