Air Force Secretary Michael Donley authorized funding for skilled and licensed volunteers to travel to Minot, N.D., to perform home repairs for the nearly 250 airmen who remain displaced there following severe flooding of the Souris River in the summer. His memorandum, signed on Oct. 23, allows airmen and Defense Department civilians who possess requisite skills, but live outside of the Minot area, to be reimbursed for travel there to help in fixing the airmen’s dwellings. They will also receive a per diem. “Winter is quickly approaching, and this measure will provide airmen and DOD civilians with the help they need to get their houses winterized in order to prevent further damage,” said Col. James Dawkins, commander of Minot’s 5th Bomb Wing. “The program also accelerates Minot Air Force Base airmen getting back on their feet so they can continue to perform their critical ICBM and bomber missions,” said Col. Stephen Davis, 91st Missile Wing boss. (Minot report by A1C Jessica McConnell)
A KC-46 touched down at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., on July 1 after a record 45-hour nonstop flight around the world. The mission, called Project Magellan, saw the two crews aboard test their limits as they refueled Air Force jets around the planet.