The A
ir Force’s RC-135 Rivet Joint platforms continue to provide a constant presence in Southwest Asia—earlier this year they racked up 6,000 days—and fulfill both national and tactical mission requirements, reports Capt. West Ticer. Among its capabilities, Rivet Joint mission crew members can “provide threat tippers via a classified chat capability, which enables us to cross-cue with other intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance and combat platforms who might be in the area … to give our warfighters a more complete picture,” said Lt. Col. Karen Bridges, commander of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.
The lack of training ranges and airspace in Japan are making it difficult for U.S. aircrews to maintain readiness during the pandemic, the head of U.S. forces in Japan said. U.S. and Japanese aircraft and personnel need to leave the country for high-end training, often traveling to major exercise such…