Airmen of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit in Southwest Asia over the past four months have supported some 3,200 sorties. To maintain that pace and “keep everyone out of the heat as much [as] possible, reports SSgt. Jason Barebo, the unit has trained all its personnel in launch and recovery operations. “This is the only base where the entire specialist flight performs launch and recovery, not only in the area of responsibility, but also Air Force wide,” said TSgt. Kevin Kuehn, who is deployed there from Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
The Air Force conducted its first successful test of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, on May 14, snapping a streak of three consecutive failed tests and giving the beleaguered hypersonics program a much needed boost. Off the coast of Southern California, the AGM-183A ARRW separated from the wing…