Global Stare: The Air Force is working to connect data collected by the wide-area surveillance sensor Gorgon Stare into its Distributed Common Ground System and then bring all Afghanistan-based personnel working with the sensor back to the United States, said Lt. Gen. Larry James, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance during AFA’s Air & Space Conference, Sept. 17. Eventually the 13th Intelligence Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif., will be assigned the primary task of conducting that mission, he added. James said part of the goal is to reduce the number of “boots on the ground” in theater.
U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses continued a busy bomber task force deployment to Europe by participating in multiple drills with NATO partners last week, including simulated weapons targeting exercises and a live munitions drop in Finland.