US Dist. Judge John R. Padova in Philadelphia said Tuesday that he would provide a ruling quickly in the lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania over the Pentagon’s BRAC proposals regarding the state’s ANG units, including the 111th Fighter Wing at JRB Willow Grove. The state maintains the governor must approve any changes to ANG units. Gov. Ed Rendell said he was “optimistic” after the Tuesday hearing. The Justice Department, however, has sided with the Pentagon on this one. Several similar lawsuits are cooking in other states.
A yearslong effort to find an affordable way to turn cargo planes into strike platforms is now an official program with anticipated fielding in 2027.