The Board of Governors for the Civil Air Patrol has suspended CAP’s national commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio Pineda. The suspension is to last up to 180 days, while the board completes its actions regarding an allegation that Pineda had enlisted another CAP member to take Air Command and Staff College professional development course tests for Pineda in 2002 and 2003. The Florida Times-Union reports that Pineda, who has been national commander since July 2005, asserts his innocence in this matter. He told the newspaper, “I’ve never cheated on any test in my life.” Pineda added that he has hired a lawyer to assist him. Meanwhile, the board of governors has put the national vice commander, Brig. Gen. Amy Courter, in charge of the Air Force Auxiliary.
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…