Two Republican legislators from New Mexico who both also happen to be Air Force veterans would very much like to secure the Senate seat to be vacated by fellow Republican Sen. Pete Domenici. Rep. Heather Wilson is a 1982 Air Force Academy graduate and the only woman veteran in Congress, and Rep. Steve Pearce is a decorated USAF fighter pilot of the Vietnam War. The interest is widespread, consider this New York Times report. Two Democrats—Tom Udall and Martin Chavez—are vying for the Democratic nomination. Both Wilson and Pearce are part of a diminishing list of military vets on Capitol Hill, and, by vying for the Senate, they’ve thrown open their House seats. Popular New Mexico political blogger Joe Monahan noted last week that Wilson leads in the race for the Republican bid.
KC-135 Crashes In Iraq While Supporting Iran Ops
March 12, 2026
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed during an incident involving two aircraft over Iraq March 12, U.S. Central Command announced. The aircraft were not shot down, CENTCOM added.