The National Museum of the US Air Force has decided to save a Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15A from the boneyard because of its role as a first responder following the 9/11 attacks. The 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis ANGB, Mass., must give up its aging A model F-15s under BRAC 2005, but according to the Cape Cod Times some airplane “junkies” started an online petition to preserve tail No. 77-102. The group has been told, says the Times, that the museum will preserve the fighter but is not certain where it will be displayed.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.