It hasn’t been very long since the Pentagon and the Guard came to blows over closure of ANG bases and realignment of ANG flying units. Now, say Guard sympathizers, the Pentagon is failing to consult with Guard officials on upcoming force cuts. A recent NGAUS statement noted there are “continuing media reports of imminent troop cuts” and yet “no official Pentagon disclosure of details.” Koper complained: “It is most unfortunate that these proposals appear to be in progress without participation by the National Guard Bureau, the statutory line of communication between the Department of Defense … and the respective states.” Koper’s letter invited Congress—which is politically congenial to the Guard—to step in.
The Air Force achieved its goal of recruiting 32,750 Active-Duty enlisted Airmen for 2026 five months ahead of schedule, military officials said this week—its biggest recruiting year in more than two decades.