Those new Pacific Air Forces C-17s at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, evacuated residents off tiny Wake Island—located 2,300 miles west of Honolulu—in anticipation of Super Typhoon Ioke, which is expected to hit Wake today with 155 mph winds. All 188 residents left the island, arriving at Hickam and from there dispersing to area hotels. It was the first time Wake residents have evacuated the nine-foot-long island due to a storm, since its 20-30 buildings can withstand 130 mph gales, reports the Honolulu Advertiser.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.