Officials of 17th Air Force set up a two-week trip for 12 Tennessee Air National Guard aircraft maintainers to assist the Nigerian Air Force by demonstrating how to repair one of its C-130 Hercules transports. Nigeria has eight Herks but only had one in service. The Air Guardsmen from the 118th Airlift Wing at Nashville have done a “terrific job in helping us partner with this key African nation,” said Lt. Col. David MacKenzie, deputy director of 17th AF’s plans and programs directorate, who noted that this endeavor was the “biggest military-to-military exchange event we’ve done in 2009.” The Tennessee airmen, all volunteers for the work, showed the Nigerian airmen how to make engine and propeller changes that would make the C-130s airworthy for a trip to a European aircraft repair depot for more extensive repairs. (17th AF release by TSgt. Alec Lloyd)
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…