The Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing will represent US Air Forces in Europe next month during an air-to-air exercise with the Bulgarian Air Force. US Embassy officials in Sofia, Bulgaria, say the exercise will help foster shared tactics, techniques, and procedures among NATO allies. Bulgaria is a new addition to NATO, and, according to the Associated Press news service, has agreed to host US troops at four military facilities in the country as part of a 10-year plan.
National Guard adjutants general from nearly two dozen states have signed a letter to Congress seeking multiyear funding for the Air Force to purchase between 72 and 100 new fighter jets per year to modernize the total force.The letter, sent to Congress last week, stresses the need for the Air…