A C-17 bringing US troops out of Afghanistan last week was the first to use the new ramp at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Designated “Papa Ramp,” the new addition adds four parking spots for C-17s or MD-11 commercial aircraft to support the Transit Center’s role as a main hub for moving US troops and supplies in and out of Afghanistan. The United States agreed to complete the $30 million ramp project as part of a lease renewal agreement with the Kyrgyz government in 2009 for the continued use of Manas. The project took about a year to complete. (Manas photo caption by SSgt. Stacy Moless)
President Donald Trump is interested in developing a twin-engined, upgraded version of the F-35 fighter, he said during a press event May 15 in Qatar marking the sale of Boeing airliners and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways. He said he would name the improved aircraft the “F-55” and also…