New ammo improves pilot safety, reduces collateral damage
Staff Sgts. Troy Kelly (left) and Bob Blake process PGU-28A/B 20mm cannon rounds through a replenisher tray that feeds the rounds into the universal ammunition loading system Feb. 25 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The new ammo allows for higher velocity, a greater standoff distance and increased safety for pilots, all contributing to greater effectiveness while providing close-air support. Its use Feb. 26 against insurgents east of Baghdad, Iraq, marked the first in battle for Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. Sergeant Kelly is deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Sergeant Blake is from Syracuse Air National Guard Base, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ken Hall)