The Air Force has selected Holloman AFB, N.M. and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to become homes to the new F-22A stealth fighter. The New Mexico Congressional delegation had been pressing for a new mission since USAF announced plans to advance the retirement of Holloman’s F-117s. They wanted the F-22A; they got it. Still to come, of course, are the required environmental assessments, but both facilities operate fighters now. Currently, the only operational F-22 base is Langley AFB, Va. USAF also plans to station Raptors at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.