1978

February 8—17 In New England, Operation snow blow її unfolds as Air Force C-5As, C-141s, and C-130s deliver 2,300 tons of snow-removal equipment to help assist stranded moto­rists.

February 22 An Atlas F rocket places the first global positioning system (GPS) satellite into orbit. A total of 24 such sat­ellites are planned by 1994, which prom­ises to revolutionize navigation and weapons delivery.

May 16—27 In Zaire, Operation zaire i unfolds as two C-5A Galaxy transports deliver French and Belgian troops to help local forces suppress rebels in Katanga Province. The aircrews are awarded a Mackay Trophy.

May 31—June 16 Over Zaire, Air Force transports continue bringing in UN peacekeeping forces and evacuate French and Belgian troops. A total of 1,600 tons of cargo and 1,225 passengers are deliv­ered in 72 sorties.

July 12 The last remaining Boeing KC- 97L Stratotanker is retired from active duty following a quarter-century of service.

July 27 In England, new Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt Ils of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing deploy at Bentwaters/ Woodbridge Royal Air Force Base for the first time.

AUGUST 14—16 In Khartoum, Sudan, 26 tons of relief supplies are delivered to flood victims by a single C-141 Starlifter.

AUGUST 17 At Fort Worth, Texas, the first production F-16 Fighting Falcon is accepted into Air Force service.

NOVEMBER 22—29 In Guyana, the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squad­ron dispatches several HH-53 helicopters to assist in the removal of 900 bodies in the wake of a mass suicide at Jonestown. Once deposited at Georgetown, they are placed aboard C-141s and flown to the United States.

December 9 In Tehran, Iran, Air Force C-5As and C-141s arrive to evacuate 900 U. S. citizens as the Shah’s regime begins to crumble.