A C-130H aircrew serving with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron brought the last US personnel and cargo out of Forward Operating Base Sharana in Paktika province, Afghanistan, according to Air Forces Central Command. Completion of the mission on Sept. 28 came three days before the United States transitioned the base to the Afghan government’s control, states an Oct. 6 AFCENT release. The handover is part of the phased pullout of US and coalition combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. “It’s a big milestone for what we’ve been doing out here, finally shutting down something,” said SSgt. Nick Sanborn, 774th EAS loadmaster. The squadron operates from Bagram Airfield. The last US soldiers at Sharana had been training and advising the Afghan National Army in the region, according to the release. (Sharana report MSgt. Benjamin Bloker)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.