The state of Oregon called the Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron at Portland into action to help evacuate up to 400 residents from areas flooded by recent storms. Working with Army Guardsmen, the special operations airmen deployed four Zodiac boats to pick up stranded residents since weather conditions prohibited rescue by air. The 125th STS, slated to reach operational readiness this month, is one of AFSOC’s newest special tactics units, which comprise combat controllers, pararescue jumpers, combat weathermen, and support personnel trained to conduct operations in enemy territory. (National Guard Bureau report.)
On Oct. 22, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a Nuclear Deterrence Forum featuring Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event. Register here.