Making good on a pledge made earlier this year, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), House Armed Services Committee chairman, on Wednesday kicked off planning for a committee version of the Quadrennial Defense Review. Panel spokesman Josh Holly said committee members gathered to discuss their plan of attack for an alternative force structure review following a scheduled session to hear testimony from outside witnesses on the Pentagon’s current QDR. According to Holly, no timelines were set, but the committee could begin its review later this month. He said, “It’s in the early stages of the process.” The committee would expect to produce its report just after the Pentagon presents its QDR in February.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.