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.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…