Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, NGB Chief, told a Congressional task force Wednesday (see above) that he believes the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 would address problems with the official structure of the Guard’s relationship to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. While both departments have made adaptations, he said, those adaptations have not been finalized on paper. “Gaps clearly exist,” he said. Blum characterized the Guard’s relationship with Homeland Security as “very informal”—he feels the relationship should be much closer.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
