Keating also discussed Operation Noble Eagle—now entering its fifth year—noting that because Air National Guard fighters fly most of the missions, he became a central figure in the controversy over the Air Force’s BRAC recommendations to realign ANG units—deactivating some and stripping others of their aircraft. Keating testified to Congress that the changes to the Air Guard would not create an unacceptable risk to the nation’s defense. (DR, 08/15/05) He emphasized Thursday that it is “very important” to NORAD/NORTHCOM that ANG remains a “viable force” and that he believes the Air Force plans leave enough ANG units to do the job.
The U.S. continued to move a significant amount of airpower toward the Middle East in recent days as talks to forge a nuclear deal with Iran hung in the balance. Flight tracking data indicate there was unusually heavy movement of dozens of fighter jets and other assets that might be…
