Otis to Get Intel Mission: The Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Fighter Wing will trade in its F-15s for a new intelligence-gathering mission, slated to begin late next year, according to several news reports. It appears that the head of the Mass ANG, Brig. Gen. Michael Akey had it right when he said last fall that intel headed the list of possible missions, once the BRAC-cut Fighters leave the base. However, according to the Cape Cod Times, there is a bad news side to this story: The new mission only requires some 200 airmen—less than half the Air Guardsmen currently attached to the wing.
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.