Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) issued a statement yesterday praising the Air Force action that would keep the Air National Guard’s 118th Airlift Wing flying. (See above.) Alexander said the “decision is the right way to honor and continue [the 118th’s] flying legacy” … and the community will keep 700 jobs.” He credited former Senate Majority leader Bill Frist, Gov. Phil Bredesen, and the other Volunteer State lawmakers for making this happen. According to the statement, the 118th may train “as many as 150 international military students annually, with the first class scheduled to graduate in mid-2008.” The unit also will continue to train active duty airmen, as needed.
The Air Force wants a new, affordable, air-launched standoff cruise missile ready to field in 2033. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced April 6 it will hold an industry day event to conduct market research on the Standoff Attack Weapon, or SoAW, on June 17 at Eglin Air…