Although the BRAC commission acquiesced to the Pentagon recommendation to strip the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Fighter Wing at NAS Willow Grove of its A-10s, it included a caveat in its final report that the Pentagon should consider keeping some of the Warthogs at the facility. The commission does believe DOD should close the base, turning it over for civilian use, but it “encourages” the Pentagon “to consider identifying A-10 aircraft to form an A-10 wing or detachment … at Willow Grove, PA.”
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.