Twelve A-10s and about 300 airmen returned home to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., this past week, marking the end of the first theater security package mission deployed to US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. The TSP mission, in support of Ope?ration Atlantic Resolve, saw the A-10s fly and train with NATO allies across the continent in order to strengthen interoperability, build readiness, and demonstrate commitment to keeping the region secure. The 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in February. The 354th EFS went on to participate in 21 exercises in 22 countries during the deployment, in nations such as Romania, Slovakia, and Poland, logging nearly 2,700 flight hours in more than 1,500 sorties. The deployment of the A-10s was the first of several planned TSP deployments to Europe; rotations are expected to last about six months, and will include several different types of aircraft.
The Pentagon’s head of research and engineering is prioritizing technologies that can penetrate and operate inside highly contested enemy territory. Top among them are artificial intelligence and autonomy. Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu said other priorities on the list include creating the technology and standards for…