The 62nd Airlift Wing, a C-17 unit at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., has received “the highest grade possible” in the nuclear surety inspection held at the base from June 1-7. Col. Thomas Freese, Air Mobility Command’s deputy inspector general, led a contingent of inspectors that scrutinized the ability of these airmen to execute nuclear operations in a safe, secure, and reliable manner. The 62nd AW is the nation’s primary nuclear airlift force, responsible for transporting nuclear weapons and associated equipment and personnel. This is in addition to its daily duties of hauling routine cargo and personnel around the globe. The unit passed a no-notice limited NSI last August and a full-up NSI in January 2009. (Lewis-McChord report by MSgt Chris Haylett)
The Air Force overall reduced its size by 120 aircraft in fiscal year 2021, but kept about the same number of fighter, bomber and attack aircraft, according to data supplied by the service. The F-35 fleet saw the biggest increase while the B-1B bomber fleet saw the largest decline.