Members of the 2nd Security Forces Squadron at Barksdale AFB, La., moved into their new headquarters complex. The 40,000-square-foot building is much larger than the 1930s-era hangar that the squadron formerly called home, but was not large enough to accommodate all of its members. “The new facility consolidates security forces investigations, mobility, confinement, operations, and administrative functions under one roof for the first time at Barksdale,” said Christopher Bowman, 2nd SFS chief of plans and programs. Construction of the new building, which opened on Sept. 22, began in February 2010. The facility is energy efficient and has features like a new alarm system, electronic key access, and a radio system with an 80-foot tower. (Barksdale report by A1C Micaiah Anthony)
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.