A Senate amendment to save the Air Force’s planned multiyear procurement for the F-22A Raptor passed Thursday—by a 70 to 28 vote. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) proposed the amendment (see below), which would authorize the Air Force to enter into a multiyear contract, beginning in Fiscal 2007, for no more than 60 F-22s, but it specifically prohibits the service from implementing an incremental funding plan. The House also would prohibit an incremental buy and wants justification before approving a multiyear approach.
Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds took charge of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa on Oct. 31, one day after being confirmed for the post by the Senate.
