The News Journal of Mansfield, Ohio, has labeled the salvation of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing one of its “Top 10 stories of 2007.” As the News Journal reports, the 179th AW was on the BRAC 2005 chopping block. It will lose its C-130 transports but gain a new airlift mission, flying the C-27J Spartan, selected last summer as the Joint Cargo Aircraft. The 179th AW also will host a new 200-member RED HORSE unit.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.