Airmen from Air Combat Command and Air National Guard combat communications and tactical communications units were among the first to set up operations in the Gulf Region. Members of the 83rd Comm Squadron, Langley AFB, Va., arrived at Keesler AFB, Miss., with mobile satellite communications systems on Aug. 28. In all, the comm troops deployed to six sites. The 5th Combat Comm Group, Robins AFB, Ga., sent 60 airmen and three SatCom packages to Mississippi. The 3rd CCG, Tinker AFB, Okla., sent 100 airment and three SatCom systems to Louisiana. ANG units from Alexandria and Hammond, La., and Meridian, Miss. Provided comm and air traffic control teams.
House lawmakers unveiled a new reconciliation package July 15 with $60 billion for defense, $290 billion less than the Pentagon has been seeking, a day after a Senate vote to advance the annual defense policy bill failed—developments that show the perilous state of the Pentagon’s ambitious plans for fiscal 2027.