Storm Misses Lajes: US Air Force elements at Lajes Field, Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean battened down in the face of Hurricane Gordon, but the Category 1 storm with winds expected to reach 70 mph packed less than half the punch of Tropical Storm Ioke that hit Wake Island in the Pacific. In fact, the Lajes airmen say this type of wind is normal for winters in the Azores. In the end, Gordon weakened and changed course, leaving Lajes untouched.
With key members of Congress wavering on the possibility of a $350 billion defense reconciliation bill, defense experts told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the Pentagon is likely drawing up budget backup plans—but such plans would face hard choices between high-end weapons and low-cost drones and other programs in…