Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) got part of his Military Family Bill of Rights legislation in the Senate’s just passed emergency tax relief measure for persons affected by Hurricane Katrina. Kerry’s provision offers tax relief to employers of members of the National Guard and Reserve. The tax relief equates to an employee retention credit, providing a 40 percent tax credit for wages paid up to $6,000 after Aug. 28 and before Dec. 31. The Senate and House are in conference resolving differences of their respective bills.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…