F-16 test pilots from Edwards AFB, Calif., flew mock combat at Red Flag for the second time, testing new software and weapons integration at Nellis AFB, Nev. “Taking a developmental test unit and putting it in that large-force employment, we were able to find things that are ultimately going to save the taxpayers money,” said Maj. Robert Ungerman, 416th Flight Test Squadron operations supervisor. Loaded with the upcoming M6.1+ software package, the squadron’s four upgraded F-16s trialed new air-to-air capabilities with the AIM-120D missile during the two-week exercise that concluded earlier this month. The quartet also employed the Small Diameter Bomb, debuted by squadron aircraft at Red Flag in 2009. Aiming to “evaluate the new software in an operationally representative environment,” Red Flag offers “something that would stress the system much more than we can traditionally do here at Edwards,” said Lt. Col. Leonard Kearl, 416th FLTS commander. (Nellis report by Jet Fabara)
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.