Four F-15C Eagles from Barnes ANGB, Mass., have completed the Icelandic portion of the latest theater security package (TSP) sent to Europe. The aircraft, assigned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 131st Fighter Squadron, departed Iceland on April 30 after supporting Icelandic Air Surveillance and Operation Atlantic Resolve, according to a May 2 release. Approximately 200 airmen from the Massachusetts ANG’s 104th Fighter Wing and California ANG’s 144th Fighter Wing took part in the mission that began April 3. Active Duty airmen helped with logistics and ground operations. A dozen F-15C Eagles from Barnes and Fresno ANGB, Calif., make up the latest TSP deployed to Europe to deter Russian aggression. During the remainder of the six-month TSP, the airmen will deploy to Bulgaria, Estonia, and Romania. (See also: Toward a Total Force from the March issue of Air Force Magazine.)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…