That sentiment did not sway John Thune (R-S.D.), who reminded Wynne that, as acting deputy secretary of acquisition, logistics, and technology, Wynne himself had played a “major role” in developing the BRAC recommendations. Thune, who had fought hard to get the BRAC commission to remove Ellsworth AFB, S.D., from the bases marked for closure by the Pentagon, asked for Wynne’s assurance that as Air Force Secretary he would not thwart efforts to enhance missions for bases previously slated for closure. Wynne replied: “As far as I’m concerned, the BRAC commission has ruled. … The past is past, and anything in the future will be reviewed on its own merits.”
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?