According to Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the 2008 defense appropriations bill does include some $230 million to put construction projects on track to meet BRAC 2005-directed moves to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Officials in Ohio have been working for more than a year to plan for the move of the aerospace medicine functions from Texas and a sensors operation from New York. Earlier reports pegged the construction cost at $370 million. The Dayton Business Journal reports that another $90 million is expected in 2009.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.