Air Force Reserve Command reactivated the 69th Fighter Squadron March 5 at Luke AFB, Ariz. “It is with great pride and honor that we are able to bring the 69th Fighter Squadron,” said Lt. Col. Steve Speckhard, the unit’s commander. From 1969 to 1983, the squadron operated out of Luke as the 69th Tactical Flying Training Squadron, teaching German pilots to fly F-104s. It was deactivated in 2001 at Moody AFB, Ga. In its new form, the 69th FS is organized under Luke’s 944th Fighter Wing. It is constituted with members of Luke’s 301st FS who changed their patch during the reactivation ceremony. They will work with Luke’s active duty 56th FW to train F-16 pilots. The 301st FS is transferring to Holloman AFB, N.M., to join active duty airmen there in operating F-22s. Its standup is scheduled in April. (Luke report by TSgt. Susan Stout)
The Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want…
