Air National Guard units in Indiana and Vermont are getting ready to head to Southwest Asia in spring 2006 as part of USAF’s next Air and Space Expeditionary rotation. Indiana ANG officials told the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette that this AEF rotation will mark the largest deployment for the 122nd Fighter Wing since 1961. On its last SWA tour in August 2004, the 122nd deployed some 275 airmen. 
Vermont ANG officials told reporters that the 158th will be sending more than 400 airmen; the unit deployed about 350 for an AEF in June 2004. According to the Burlington Free Press, all members of the 158th volunteered for the upcoming rotation.
The Pentagon awarded a $2.02 billion contract for Lot 17 of F-35 engines to contractor Pratt & Whitney on June 5. Work on the F135 engine is expected to be completed by December 2025.