The Air Force says it recently delivered the 2,000th mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, to the US Central Command area of responsibility. “The men and women of Charleston (AFB) have stepped up to this challenge and are delivering MRAPs in record time.” said Col. John Millander, commander of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C., the only USAF base from which MRAPS are airlifted to theater. “We’re not only meeting our goals, but consistently exceeding them.” Indeed the 437th AW surpassed the Pentagon’s goal of delivering 1,500 MRAPs, by the end of 2007, according to base officials. The MRAPs, which will phase out Humvees, are transported via C-5s, C-17, or Russian AN124s. In addition to Army and Marine Corps units, airmen who operate with ground forces are also getting the new vehicles, having received 17 MRAPs to date. (Charleston report by SSgt. Jennifer Arredondo)
Unmanned aerial vehicles are fair game for U.S. Special Operations Command’s armed overwatch platform competition, Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. James C. “Jim” Slife told reporters on Feb. 26. However, the MQ-9 Reaper drone might not be up to the challenge in its current form, he suggested during…