Air Force Reserve Command’s 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB, Miss., has dedicated two of its aircraft to cities along the Gulf Coast. A WC-130J Hurricane Hunter now bears the name of the City of Gulfport, acknowledged by Mayor Brent Warr and Brig. Gen. Richard Moss, 403rd Wing commander, during a ceremony Sept. 20. At the same time, the wing displayed a C-130J-30 Hercules, named for the City of Biloxi, witnessed by city official Nathan Sullivan.
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.