AFSOC buying more aircraft

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - While the broader Air Force is bogged down in some of its aircraft programs, its Special Operations Command is moving ahead to replace refuelers, helicopters, buy small cargo aircraft and boost gunship capabilities. One of its new aircraft, the Bell-Boeing CV-22, is slated to be deployed next month to Africa. The command has nine CV-22s, five at Hurlburt and four at Kirtland AFB, N.M. The final seven MH-53 Pave Low helicopters being replaced by the CV-22 will be retired by the end of this month. (Source: Aviation Week, 09/21/08)