New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said Monday that DOD has formed a team to explore the likelihood of bringing a new mission to Cannon Air Force Base to replace the F-16s it lost in the 2005 BRAC decisions. Richardson told the Clovis News-Journal that the team, which includes Michael Wynne, the Administration’s nominee for Air Force Secretary, will report its findings to the Pentagon within 180 days. (Wynne’s nomination hearing is Thursday.)
Pentagon Task Force, FAA to Test Counter-Drone Laser
March 7, 2026
The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force announced it would conduct a high-energy laser test with the Federal Aviation Administration less than a month after the use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border prompted the FAA to shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas.