With all the attention focused on Southwest Asia, it is easy to overlook US military operations in Bosnia. The majority of American troops are Army, but USAF still has three airmen living and working at Tuzla AB, Bosnia. Their job is to oversee some 160 contract employees who handle airfield operations, supporting the commercial Tuzla Airport, as well. Det. 1 of the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing comprises Lt. Col. David Lowe, Capt. Mark Arzate, and MSgt. Matthew Sheehan. All have a hand in quality assurance, making certain the contractors, many of whom are prior service, keep NATO air operations up to snuff.
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…