A Kennedy-era RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft surpassed 50,000 flight hours during a mission March 12 in Southwest Asia supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircraft, which has been in service since 1962 and flown tours in far-flung places ranging from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, is the first Rivet Joint and the first of any C-135 airframe, in general, to reach this milestone. “The folks that fly, operate and maintain the Rivet Joint are quiet, professional warriors who are making a difference every day,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Lyon, commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. “We’ve had many successes in the war on terrorism, many of which aren’t publicized.” (USAF report by 2nd Lt. Tania Bryan)
The Air Force is moving forward with a new, algorithm-driven system to help U.S. Northern Command better detect airborne threats. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which are tasked with protecting the homeland from attack, depend on a slew of radars and other data systems to monitor U.S.…