The plan to merge active and Air National Guard forces to create a squadron of C-17 airlifters at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, is now a year old and heading into the home stretch—the first of eight C-17s are due to arrive in January. This Future Total Force initiative, says CMSgt. Scott Yerxa, has been an “almost seamless” blending of a “great group of professionals.” Some Guard backers have raised doubts about the FTF project, claiming it will weaken ANG units.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
