Evangelical Training at the Academy?: According to the Washington Post, the US Air Force Academy has given preferential treatment to a private missionary group in their efforts to train cadets to proselytize among their peers. The missionary group—Navigators—assigned a pair of full-time Christian ministers (a husband and wife team) to the academy, which, according to an Oct. 11 confidential fund-raising letter obtained by the Post, permits them to use an empty classroom to meet with cadets at any time during the day. Michael Weinstein, a New Mexico resident and 1977 Academy graduate who has filed federal suit against the Air Force (DR, 11/04/05), disclosed the letter. An academy spokesman told the Post that the designated room is open to any of the academy’s 19 registered religious groups who wish to meet with cadets.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.