Active and reserve air mobility support continues to aid the massive disaster response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. (See DR, 9/01/05). Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott AFB, Ill., has been coordinating mobility aircraft—cargo to aeromedical evacuation—to support FEMA operations. Among the taskings: four C-5s and one C-17—flown by mixed active, ANG, and AFRC crews—to ferry supplies and equipment into Lafayette Airport in Lafayette, La. An AFRC C-130J from the 403rd Airlift Wing returned home to Keesler AFB, Miss., which sustained major damage, to ferry in much needed medical and electrical supplies. On standby, as of late Wednesday, were AFRC C-130s from the 908th AW, Maxwell AFB, Ala., and 910th AW, Youngstown ARS, Ohio, and C-5s from the 433rd AW, Lackland AFB, Tex., and 439th AW, Westover ARB, Mass.
Sustainment of the F-35 is rapidly becoming the most profitable part of the program, as growing numbers of jets, bases and depots drives a greater demand for parts and services, top Lockheed Martin officials said in an April 20 corporate earnings call. The comments come against a backdrop of criticism…