Just when we thought the news couldn’t get much worse on the theft of VA data, Secretary James Nicholson now says that he was wrong about the theft encompassing up to 50,000 military members as well as 26.5 million veterans. The VA now believes the May 3 theft included data for up to 2.2 million active duty and reserve members. (The number comprises 1.1 million active, 430,000 Guard, and 645,000 Reserve personnel.) Nicholson revealed the latest information Tuesday—continuing the VA’s latter-day desire to tell all quickly—but the news was not immediately posted on the VA Web site for all to view. Here is the statement, posted sometime this morning.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
