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.
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
