BRAC commissioner Samuel Skinner told a Michigan television station that Gov. Jennifer Granholm has the authority to move the 24 A-10 Warthogs destined for Selfridge Air National Guard Base under commission recommendations. She can, if she wants, leave them at their present home with the ANG unit at Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek. Skinner apparently was the one who ensured that Kellogg would not be closed outright to give Granholm the option of placement. Ultimately, the A-10s were meant to replace the Selfridge’s F-16s, which are slated to be retired. Confusion reigns.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.