Air Force Reserve Command plans to establish a “classic” associate unit at Eglin AFB, Fla., working with Air Combat Command units there. A news release said the start date is “tentatively” set for Fiscal 2008. The Reserve unit would support ACC’s 53rd Wing test and weapons evaluation missions, but the program could expand to other Eglin units.
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.