Air 
Force Global Strike Command teams have descended on Barksdale AFB, La., for the culmination of the third annual Global Strike Challenge later this week. Since July, units from across the command have been competing in scored events, vying for the titles of top ICBM wing, bomb wing, security forces unit, and helicopter support squadron. Teams from seven AFGSC and Air Combat Command bases as well as a French air force delegation came to Barksdale for the final events and scoring, according to a Nov. 5 Barksdale release. Nearly 480 airmen competed in the 2012 challenge from Barksdale, Dyess AFB, Tex.; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; Minot AFB, N.D.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; and Whiteman AFB, Mo., reports the Shreveport Times. The week’s activities include the command’s third Technology and Innovation Symposium. Command leaders will award the titles and trophies at the score posting on Nov. 7, according to the newspaper. (Includes Barksdale report by Carla Pampe)
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.