Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, NATO’s busiest airfield in that nation, now has an expanded aerial port, according to a release by the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing there. “In a lot of ways, we were limited by our surroundings. This new ramp will make us ready for whatever the mission demands,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Browning, commander of the base’s 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. He added, “Our airmen are top notch and are able to handle a lot of passengers and cargo.” The expansion features more than 15,000 square meters of additional space for the staging of outbound and inbound aerial cargo, according to the wing’s May 22 release. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers improved the airfield’s safety and security with enhanced lighting and airfield fencing. (451st AEW report by Capt. Frank Hartnett)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
