Pentagon personnel chief David Chu yesterday said that DOD has not given up the fight to fully implement its new National Security Personnel System, reports Government Executive. Right now, the Justice Department is appealing a court decision preventing the Pentagon from rolling in union employees. However, Homeland Security, which is implementing a similar system, just got shot down—for the last time—over its labor relations provisions. Chu says the Pentagon probably would go to the Supreme Court if it loses at appellate level. (Congress has just told DOD it cannot use 2007 funds for NSPS union-related actions.)
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…