The Military Coalition’s Guard and Reserve Committee again is asking Congress to lower the reserve retirement age because the “vintage” retirement system does not recognize the “increase in service and sacrifice of Guard and Reserve service members” under the Operational Reserve Policy. TMC, comprising 35 military and veteran service organizations, including the Air Force Association, also wants to ensure a continuum of health coverage options for the Guard and Reserve. In all, TMC has about 10 items on its 2007 agenda to better conditions for the Guard and Reserve, including increasing end strengths and improving readiness.
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…