Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Commission on National Guard and Reserves committee that there is a serious shortfall in the professional military education arena when it comes to the reserve components. His prepared statement did not address the issue, but Skelton felt compelled to talk briefly about PME, which he said needs “serious consideration.” Skelton noted that only a handful of Guardsmen and Reservists are picked to go to intermediate or senior war colleges. And that, he claims, will not do because Guardsmen and Reservists increasingly are being put in decision-making positions that would benefit from a war college education. Without that, said Skelton, “you might get an erroneous recommendation.”
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.
