New Jersey ANG Deploys to SWA: About 150 Air Guardsmen from New Jersey’s 177th Fighter Wing deployed Feb. 19 for Southwest Asia, joining some 50 fellow 177th airmen already in SWA. This deployment marks a repeat visit—more than one—for many of the Guardsmen, reports the Press of Atlantic City. They are to work with ANG members from F-16 fighter wings in Indiana and Vermont, assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.
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.