Congressional appropriations subcommittees have approved some $21 million for additional construction at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to continue base construction to support the new C-17 strategic airlifter. Hickam received its first C-17 just a year ago. The money will go toward a new ramp and maintenance and supply facilities for the joint active duty and Air National Guard C-17 operation.
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.