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.)
The Air Force ramped up operations and maintenance spending to keep its F-35A fighters flying over the past six years, but readiness continues to lag behind goals, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.