Air National Guard enlisted personnel have awarded the Order of the Sword—the highest accolade from noncommissioned officers—to Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director. ANG NCOs have only recognized seven other officers with the Sword for their efforts on behalf of enlisted members.
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.