Travis Tailwind: April 17, 2026

THE DARK 821st CRG hosts, tours

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bility progr Am ExECUtivE, AviAtion WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Army officially received a groundbreaking H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter upgraded for autonomous or piloted flight. This next-generation optionally piloted vehicle begins a rigorous testing phase, marking a pivotal moment in the Army’s push to build a safer, smarter and more versatile helicopter fleet for the future.

A decade of innovation

This achievement is not an overnight success. It is the result of more than a decade of pioneering work in autonomous flight. The technology at the heart of this helicopter originated from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System program. The ALIAS program began over 10 years ago. It was founded on the visionary goal of creating a removable kit for existing aircraft, which would provide a high degree of automation. The goal was to reduce the complexity of flying, enhance safety and allow pilots to focus on higher-level mission tasks.

A military aircraft manufacturing company partnered with the research agency on this effort. As a direct result, the company developed technology that enables rotary and fixed-wing aircraft to be flown with and without people on board. After years of successful demonstrations on both commercial

See H-60Mx, Page 3

86th Dental Squadron’s Maj. Van Hoof sees the person behind the procedure

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Inside an operating room at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the environment is quiet and controlled. Medical instruments are sprawled out with careful precision alongside the surgical team moving deliberately to prep the room. However, for Maj. Matthew Van Hoof, 86th Dental Squadron oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the work happening here is never just technical.

“We’re not mechanics,” Van Hoof said. “We’re not taking care of something without a soul; this is a human being with a family and people who love them.”

A surgeon’s day begins long before the first incision. Van Hoof runs through mental checklists as he scrubs in. He begins by reviewing the goal of the procedure and how he plans to achieve it. Preparation, he remarked, is about more than success in a surgery, it is about responsibility.

That belief guides how he approaches surgery, leadership and patient care.

Van Hoof’s journey to

being a surgeon began with an interest in wanting to work with his hands and take care of people, and surgery is the culmination of both. After entering the Air Force through the Health’s Professionals Scholarship Program, he served as a general dentist before being selected for surgical residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, one of the military’s busiest trauma training environments. Along the way, he learned that technical skill alone does not define a great surgeon.

“There’s always a person on the table,” Van Hoof said. “They’re trusting you.”

Van Hoof supports dental patients at Ramstein Air Base and LRMC, where service members across all branches receive routine procedures as well as advanced medical treatment. Others come due to trauma or long-term conditions that affect how they eat, speak or function day to day.

Each case carries its own weight.

That authentic awareness shapes how he leads in the operating room. As the surgeon, he sets the tone for the entire team. Presence of mind and See Dental, Page 6

a patient at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, Jan. 29.

FORE BASE — Treats are on us for Month of the Military Child! As the Travis Exchange celebrates military brats during Month of the Military Child, families can visit participating Travis Exchange restaurants April 18 for a free treat. Military children 18 years and younger can visit

so much and deserve to be appreciated,” said Travis Exchange General

Manager Cathie Byrns.

“A small treat is a big way to let them know they’re special.”

The free treat offer is valid only on April 18 and is limited to one free treat per child/coupon. Military families are encouraged to inquire about free treats at participating restaurants and can contact the Travis Exchange or visit the community Hub for more information.

drink or dessert, vary by restaurant.

“Military kids do

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and military aircraft, the technology has matured. It is now a reliable system, ready for formal military evaluation.

A smarter generation of aircraft

At its heart, this is no ordinary Black Hawk.

The revolutionary technology serves as the aircraft’s powerful flight control and autonomy system. Functioning like a highly advanced digital co-pilot, the system can manage the most complex tasks of flight, from takeoff to landing.

This allows the helicopter to perform missions completely on its own or with a remote crew supervising from a secure ground station, offering unprecedented flexibility.

This advanced capability is delivered through the ALIAS optionally piloted vehicle kit.

This comprehensive package includes the system’s autonomy mission manager, which serves as the brain of the operation, and a software development kit. The SDK is a crucial feature that allows third-party software and new sensor technologies to be integrated, opening the door for continuous innovation. This kit approach provides a critical pathway to adapt sophisticated autonomy to existing aircraft, significantly reducing the time and cost required to field this game-changing technology across the fleet.

A key part of this upgrade is replacing the helicopter’s traditional mechanical flight controls with a modern fly-bywire electronic system. This makes the aircraft significantly more stable and easier to handle, particularly in challenging conditions with low

allowing the crew to focus less on the mechanics of flying and more on managing the critical mission at hand.

The path forward

In the coming months, Army test pilots and engineers will put the optionally piloted Black Hawk through its paces. These tests will check how well the aircraft can be controlled from the ground. They will examine how well the aircraft performs complex, real-world mission scenarios independently. The Army will also evaluate how this technology can keep soldiers safer and more effective. This single helicopter leads a much broader vision. It is the primary testbed for the Army’s Strategic Autonomy Flight Enabler program. The goal of SAFE is to develop a universal and scalable autonomy kit. This kit could be installed across the Army’s entire fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and integrated into future aircraft designs. Partners in Texas are collaborating on the ALIAS autonomy technology. The state is sponsoring a multiyear autonomy testbed effort through Texas A&M University’s George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex. This effort uses modified UH-60L Black Hawks. The aim is to determine the value of autonomous aircraft for wildland firefighting and related state missions. By proving this technology, the Army aims to unlock a new era of aviation that will not only save lives but also ensure that critical missions can be completed under any circumstance. The delivery of the first optionally piloted Black Hawk is more than a hardware handover. It is a tangible step toward a future

A KC-46 Pegasus milestone flight and a

FORCE BASE, Kan. — A brand-new KC-46A Pegasus touched down and taxied toward its new home at McConnell, April 3. The moment represents the continued modernization of the Air Force’s tanker fleet and the culmination of a distinguished career.

A select team of airmen from the 22nd Operations Group, 22nd Maintenance Group, and 22nd Medical Group arrived at the Boeing Production Facility in Everett, Washington. The visit offered a rare, firsthand look at the precision engineering and manufacturing required to build the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refueler.

The crew’s primary mission was to accept delivery of the Air Force’s 105th KC-46A Pegasus. For the maintenance crews in attendance, the factory tour was an opportunity to pick the brains of the Boeing professionals who build these machines from the ground up.

The delivery flight itself featured a highprofile crew. Brig. Gen. Corey Simmons, Director of Operations for U.S.

Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), took the controls for the first leg of the journey. Departing from the overcast skies of Washington, Gen. Simmons piloted the brand-new tail from the Boeing factory to Travis Air Force Base.

“It’s been a life-long dream to deliver a brand new airplane to the Air Force,” Simmons said. “I got to work on the KC-46 in

a couple of different roles, and to get to do this one time is like being a little kid again.”

The delivery crew met with a contingent of McConnell jets that had recently been diverted to California on a weather relocation. The sight of multiple McConnell tails lined up on a different coast served as a reminder of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing’s agility and ability to maintain readiness regardless of environmental challenges. After Gen. Simmons concluded his portion of the mission at Travis Air Force Base and continued on to his duties with USTRANSCOM, the focus shifted toward home – and toward a significant personal milestone for one McConnell pilot. The final leg from Travis AFB back to McConnell was

Cpls. Mario Velezpompa and Michael Jeziorowski, both riflemen assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, take part in Exercise Cold Response 26 in Setermoen, Norway, March 13. Service members assigned to the 2nd Marine Division

US Marines, NATO forge new role

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SETERMOEN , Norway — Marines concluded their participation in the Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response 26 on March 19, having validated a new model of integrated support for NATO operations in the high north.

The exercise was the first of its kind since Finland and Sweden joined the alliance, proving their immediate capability and marking a new era of collective defense. The new model focuses on fully integrating the Marine air-ground task force into a NATO command structure and establishing a joint logistics command for rapid crisis response.

Air Force, Army integrate air defense capabilities during Freedom Shield 26

staff sgt tyLir Meyer 51ST FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — The 51st Security Forces Squadron and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted joint training during exercise Freedom Shield 26 at Osan Air Base, March 9-13.

During the exercise, the 51st SFS and 35th ADA worked together to detect and respond to a simulated hostile drone approaching the installation, using a U.S. Army AN/TWQ-1 Avenger to identify, track and engage the simulated aerial threat.

“This training integrated Army air defense capabilities into the base defense plan,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ty Waits, Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Avenger platoon leader.

“By working alongside Air Force security forces, we ensure we can rapidly respond to aerial threats and protect the installation.”

“In crisis, we don’t have the luxury of time; we have to be ready,” said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Farrell Sullivan, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division. “Our ability to globally deploy combat credible forces into the high north in support of NATO underpins our commitment to allies and partners and our national interests.”

This rapid response capability highlights a history of strategic partnership between Norway and the Marine Corps. Since 1982, the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program Norway has stored Marine Corps equipment preserved in climate-controlled mountain caves.

“Seeing all the equipment and supplies ready for you – fueled, warm and in a controlled-climate area – is a complete game changer,” said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alondra Plouff, noncommissioned officer in charge of the cave sites.

The gear was then moved by ship to the port of Narvik, Norway, during a complex movement operation and was ready for immediate use.

“Our strategic position in the Arctic, with open sea

lanes, ice-free harbors and the ability to receive forces into the theater, is one of our most important roles,” said Norwegian Brig. Gen. Nina Berg, commander of the Norwegian Joint Logistics Operations Center.

Marine Corps Combat Logistics Battalion 6 departed Norway March 8, escorted by Norwegian and Swedish military police, to transport some of these logistical assets in a longrange convoy across Norway and Sweden, arriving in Finland March 10.

With logistics in place, the exercise moved to its combat phase.

In a historic first, a combined force from the Franco-German Binational Air Transportation Squadron and service members from the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 airlifted Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, from Norway to Finland aboard a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Upon landing, the company was placed under the tactical control of the Swedish army’s 4th Mechanized Brigade, fighting as a single, fused entity in a force-on-force battle.

Simultaneously, in Norway, other Marine companies from the battalion integrated with the Norwegian army’s Combat Service Support Battalion. Using the Norwegian’s Bandvagn 206 all-terrain vehicles for critical mobility, this combined force maneuvered through the austere terrain to fight the Spanish army’s Mountain Infantry Regiment, which acted as the opposing force.

“The purpose of Cold Response is deterrence, and the only way you can deter is if you have a credible threat,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chase Bradford, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion. “With our Marines training collectively, we know that if we ever have to fight together with our NATO allies, we can immediately come together and win.”

For the Marines on the ground, their training objectives were achieved through direct partnership and learning from their highly experienced Nordic counterparts.

“Working with the Norwegians, especially, we learned a lot about coldweather tactics and how to operate in this environment. It’s been very beneficial,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Logan Beaver, a squad leader with Echo Company. “The most important thing is not only surviving but thriving in the terrain and then using that to our advantage with our Norwegian allies.”

The strategic importance of the exercise was highlighted by a visit from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who observed a demonstration of allied capabilities

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“Exercising and learning from one another builds bonds between allies and ensures the ability of NATO nations to operate effectively and to do this together.”

The Avenger is a mobile air defense platform equipped with Stinger missiles designed to counter low-altitude threats, such as drones and aircraft.

Integrating the Avengers system into Osan’s defensive posture strengthens the base’s layered defense strategy.

“Our goal is to defend the installation against smaller aerial threats so higher-level systems can focus on larger threats,” said U.S. Air Force Tech.

Sgt. Christian Natal, 51st Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wartime plans.

Natal emphasized the increasing prevalence of small unmanned aerial systems in modern conflicts, highlighting the importance that defenders train against them. Training scenarios like this ensure personnel can quickly detect, track and respond to potential unmanned aircraft incursions.

The training additionally emphasized the use of man-portable air defense teams, or MANPADs. If the Avenger platform becomes inoperable, the crews can remove the Stinger missile pods and deploy them as mobile teams capable of moving across the installation with security forces patrols.

This flexibility allows defenders to reposition quickly and maintain air defense coverage across the base.

Joint exercises like this strengthen coordination between U.S. Army and Air Force units and improve readiness against evolving threats.

“As drones and other unmanned systems become more common on the battlefield, training like this ensures we are prepared to defend the base and protect the mission,” Natal said. “Continued joint training helps ensure forces remain ready to respond to emerging threats in a dynamic security environment.”

A hero’s final flight: ‘Bud’ Anderson laid to rest

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ARLINGTON, Va. — Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, the last surviving “triple ace” pilot from World War II, received full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery, March 30.

Anderson, who passed away on May 17, 2024, at the age of 102, was a figure of legendary status in military aviation. Born in Oakland on Jan. 13, 1922, Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in January 1942, quickly commissioned and distinguished himself as a skilled pilot.

He flew 116 combat missions in his P-51 Mustang, nicknamed “Old Crow,” and was credited with 16.25 aerial victories. His service extended beyond WWII, as he commanded a fighter squadron in Korea and a tactical fighter wing during the Vietnam War. Throughout his distinguished 30-year career, Anderson was a respected test pilot, flying over

130 different aircraft, contributing significantly to the development of early jet fighters. He logged more than 7,500 flying hours with more than

480 combat hours.

“‘Bud’ Anderson is a hero and legend in air combat; he wrote the playbook,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wils-

bach and general officer host for Anderson’s Interment. “He mastered his craft, flew with immense courage and leaves a legacy of service that will

inspire generations.”

In addition to earning the title of “triple ace” during WWII, he went on to earn numerous accolades, including two Legions of

Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and 16 Air Medals. In a fitting tribute to his lifelong contributions, he was honorarily promoted to the rank of brigadier general in December 2022. “Bud was part of the greatest generation and an icon in the Air Force,” Wilsbach reflected. In a reflection of how significant Anderson remains to Wilsbach personally and across the Air Force, Wilsbach presented the family a U.S. flag both he and the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, had flown the week prior in an F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Anderson was interred in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by friends, family and a grateful nation. The country’s final act of appreciation to Anderson, a Missing Man Formation of P-51 Mustangs flew over his ceremony, symbolically bridging aviation’s past and present over the solemn procession.

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Dental

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composure matters. Even when unexpected challenges arise, he believes that steadiness is a key aspect of the job.

“Nothing is worse than a surgeon losing their composure,” Van Hoof said. “It affects everyone in the room.”

Some of the most meaningful moments in his career come from the larger corrective jaw surgeries. These patients often prepare for months or years before the surgery itself, working closely with orthodontists to have the proper diagnostics casts made before finally being rolled into the operating room.

When the healing is complete, the change is often immediate and life altering.

“You see it in how they talk, how they smile and how they carry themselves,” Van Hoof said. “That’s incredibly rewarding.” While wisdom tooth

extractions and dental implants remain part of his daily work, it is those transformative procedures that remind him why he chose this path.

“Patients pick up on how you treat them,” Van Hoof said. “They know when you see them as a person.”

That personal connection between doctor and patient is reinforced after the surgery, when patients express gratitude once the pain has subsided and recovery begins. For Van Hoof, those moments serve as quiet affirmation.

“You don’t do this to pat yourself on the back,” Van Hoof said. “But when a patient goes out of their way to say thank you, it reminds you that what you’re doing matters.”

At LRMC, surgeons like Van Hoof operate at the intersection of skill and humanity. Behind the masks and sterile blue drapes are professionals focused not only on the procedure, but on the human being. For Van Hoof, that understanding makes all the difference.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Inside Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, a patient regains sight as U.S. Air Force and Guyana Ministry of Health ophthalmology teams work side by side, delivering specialized care while building something far beyond a single procedure.

For some patients, it’s the first time they have seen clearly in years.

During Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team 2026, U.S. and Guyanese providers performed procedures ranging from cataract removal surgeries to complex retinal care, addressing critical gaps in access while strengthening long-term partnerships and enhancing expeditionary medical readiness in a real-world environment.

“My role on this mission is as a vitreoretinal surgeon, helping lead the ophthalmology team and focus on retina surgery, which was identified as a major need by the country,” said Maj. Samuel Hobbs, U.S. Air Force ophthalmologist. “That includes not just procedures, but also supporting equipment, supplies and training.”

Hobbs, currently the only vitreoretinal surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, brings a highly specialized capability to a region where access to retina care

remains limited.

“Dr. Arlene BobbSemple is the only vitreoretinal surgeon in the entire country,” Hobbs said. “If patients can’t be treated here, they have to travel, which isn’t always feasible, especially since some procedures prevent patients from flying.”

For many patients, timing can mean the difference between restoring vision and permanent loss.

“Retinal detachment is a time-sensitive condition,” Hobbs said. “If treated quickly, patients can regain near-perfect vision. But here, many patients present late, which makes cases more complex and outcomes more challenging.”

The demand for specialized care is significant.

“The need for retina surgery isn’t just here, it’s global,” Hobbs said. “But being able to provide that care here, where access is limited, makes the impact even more meaningful.”

Operating in this environment also strengthens the team’s ability to deliver care under pressure.

“It really builds adaptability,” Hobbs said. “We don’t always have the resources we would in the U.S., so we have to improvise and adjust our techniques. That’s directly applicable to deployed settings.”

That exchange of expertise extends beyond U.S. forces.

“It’s not just the U.S. coming in to teach, we learn

from each other,” said Dr. Celestine Hinds, a consultant ophthalmologist at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “We share techniques, especially for more complex cataracts, and that exchange makes both teams better.”

Local providers bring deep experience managing advanced cases commonly seen in the region.

“We see a lot of advanced cataracts here, so we have experience with small-incision surgery,” Hinds said. “Being able to share that while also learning newer techniques from the U.S. team is incredibly valuable.”

The collaboration benefits the entire care team, reinforcing a shared approach to improving outcomes.

“It’s beneficial across the board, from surgeons to nursing staff,” Hinds said. “Everyone gains something from the collaboration.”

Beyond individual procedures, the mission supports long-term healthcare capability through shared expertise and collaboration.

Hobbs said the team’s role is to support longterm healthcare capability by sharing knowledge and building on existing strengths, with an impact that is both immediate and lasting.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to restore someone’s vision or improve their quality of life,” he said. “Here, the impact feels even more

immediate.”

As LAMAT 2026 con tinues across Guyana, the teams are demonstrat ing how shared expertise, trust and partnership strengthen both medical readiness and regional health security.

59th MW doctor wins award for aerospace behavioral health

59th Medical Wing chief ScientiSt’S Office, Science & technOlOgy

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACK -

LAND, Texas — The Aerospace Medical Association has announced that U.S. Air Force Capt. (Dr.) William Hoffman, Medical Director, Joint Integrated Clinical Medicine Research, Office of the Chief Scientist, will be honored with the Raymond F. Longacre Award at the annual Aerospace Medical Association and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Annual Scientific Meeting.

KC-46

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and aviation enthusiast, is researching the barriers keeping aviation personnel from seeking mental health care.

Jason Edwards/Defense Health Agency

Capt. (Dr.) William Hoffman, neurologist, 59th Medical Wing Joint Integrated Clinical Medicine medical director, is an aviation enthusiast researching the barriers keeping aviation personnel from seeking mental health care.

commanded by Maj. Kyle Haydel, a KC-46 pilot with the 22nd Operations Group. This wasn’t just another delivery; it was Haydel’s “fini flight,” the traditional final flight of an Air Force pilot’s career or assignment.

During his final approach to McConnell’s runway, Haydel was near-speechless. “It feels bittersweet,” he said. “And that’s all I’ve got.”

The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the psychological and psychiatric aspects of aerospace medicine, including advancements in human performance, behavioral health, and operational readiness in aviation and space environments. Named in honor of Maj. Raymond F. Longacre, a pioneer in aviation psychology, the award represents one of the field’s most respected distinctions in aerospace behavioral science.

Hoffman’s selection reflects a sustained record of excellence and

meaningful impact in advancing the understanding of human factors and mental health in highperformance operational settings. His work has contributed to improving the safety, resilience, and effectiveness of personnel operating in complex aerospace environments.

Hoffman, a neurologist

Travis Air Force Base Exchange hosts free in-store Play-Doh event

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“Historically, aviators have experienced worry in seeking healthcare due to fear for what a change in health status would mean for their flying status,” Hoffman said. “We are interested in building databacked ways to change this paradigm to optimize both the mental health and medical readiness of our aviation personnel.”

The award will be formally presented during AsMA’s Honors Night, a signature event recognizing leaders and innovators from across the global aerospace medicine and human performance community.

Piloting a factory-fresh aircraft for one’s final military flight is a rare honor. Haydel guided McConnell’s 25th Pegasus into Kansas airspace, bringing the aircraft home to join the world’s largest KC-46A fleet. As the wheels touched the runway at McConnell on April 3, the aircraft was officially “delivered,” and a chapter closed for a dedicated aviator.

After having some

time to reflect on his experience, Haydel said “If I had the words to sum-up 25 years of pain, love, sadness, joy, triumphs and failures all culminating into a single approach and landing – I’d probably be better suited as a novelist. It’s an absolute emotional rollercoaster.” With the addition of this aircraft, McConnell Air Force Base continues to solidify its role as the epicenter of global reach. The integration of the maintenance and operations groups during the Everett tour ensures that the personnel who fly and fix these aircraft are as synchronized as the technology inside them. As Haydel stepped off the flightline to the traditional “hose down” by family and colleagues, the 105th Pegasus was already being prepped by maintainers. Its journey started in Everett, but its mission – to provide rapid global mobility and aerial refueling – is just beginning.

FORE

BASE — Creativity is taking form for Month of the Military Child, turning Play-Doh moments into a tribute to military kids’ resilience and imagination.

Military families can join the Travis BX from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 18 for creative play with Play-Doh kits including, the Light and Look Microscope, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Slice and Blast Pizza playset, Airplane Explorer Starter set, Barbie Designer Pattern packs and more.

“Month of the Military Child is a special time for us, and we’re proud to create moments that spark joy and imagination,” said Travis Exchange General Manager Cathie Byrns. “Seeing the children light up as they build, shape and explore is what makes events like this so meaningful.”

Preregistration is not required. For more information, shoppers can contact the Travis Exchange or visit the Travis Exchange’s social media pages. Military families can visit the Exchange’s community Hub to for information on Month of the Military Child celebrations throughout April.