Friday, April 17, 2026 l Vol. 51, Number 16
SERVING TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE AND THE MILITARY COMMUNITY OF SOLANO COUNTY
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD Page 2
MCCONNELL AFB RECEIVES KC-46 Page 3
LAMAT 2026 Page 6
TAILWIND
TRAVIS
A product of Daily Republic
LIGHT IN
THE DARK
Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio/U.S. Air Force file
68th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen confirm that the simulated casualty is ready to be hoisted to the upper levels where another team and instructors await them during
a confined space rescue scenario at the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Ariz., March 31. Crews balanced speed and accuracy throughout the entire scenario.
Army aviation receives first autonomous-ready Black Hawk U.S. Army Capability Program 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 Brian Collett/U.S. Air Force file
Tech. Sgt. Soloman Langston, right, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron combat arms instructor, shows Travis honorary commander Josh Parker a .50-caliber
machine gun during an immersion tour at Travis Air Force Base, April 2. The honorary commander program gives community leaders a firsthand look at the base’s operations.
821st CRG hosts, tours Travis honorary commanders
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
Brian Collett/U.S. Air Force file
Caroline Villarreal, Travis honorary commander, tries on a helmet equipped with night vision goggles during an immersion tour of the 821st Contingency Response Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, April 2.
Airman Marharyta Chumakova/U.S. Air Force file
Jennifer House, Travis honorary commander, stands in a Humvee during an immersion tour of the 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, April 2.
Courtesy photo/U.S. Army
The Army received a H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter upgraded for autonomous or piloted flight.