Civil engineering airmen enlarged the helicopter ramp at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to support the closure of five forward operating bases as part of the US drawdown in theater. “It is truly a proud moment when you get tasked to turn a six-acre field into a fully operational helicopter landing zone,” said MSgt. Orlin Rohde of the 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron in a June 13 base release. The 15 airmen sent from Al Udeid AB, Qatar, were tasked with completing the landing pad in only three months to support the flow of personnel, equipment, and supplies out of the FOBs. Hickory Landing Zone cost $425,000 and required significant earth moving and drainage work to prevent the pad from flooding during the region’s monsoon season, according to the release. (Bagram report by SrA. Sandra Welch)
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…