NJ ANG Wants a Cushion: The BRAC 2005 commission spared the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Air Refueling Wing at McGuire AFB, N.J., although USAF wanted to totally strip its KC-135s, taking only eight of the wing’s aerial refuelers. State and wing officials recognize that leaves them with some excess manpower, so they are joining other ANG units in the search for new missions. The Asbury Park Press reports that New Jersey is eyeing a crisis response group-type mission and even working with the Air Force Reserve Command unit at McGuire.
The U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.