In its first week, the Operation Arctic Care team treated some 1,100 medical patients and 900 dental patients, produced nearly 600 prescription eyeglasses, and vaccinated more than 550 dogs. Arctic Care is an annual joint US military medical readiness and logistics training exercise that provides humanitarian assistance and medical care to US citizens in isolated areas of Alaska. It’s in its 16th year, according to an Arctic Sounder report, which noted that some 250 US military medical personnel participated in this year’s operation, which ended April 24. The Army is slated to lead the effort in 2011, followed by the Air National Guard in 2012. (Also see OAC reports from Kotzebue, Alaska, by Maj. Cary McPartlin April 26; TSgt. Melissa Chatham April 22; SSgt. Paul Croxon April 19; Croxon April 14)
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability prevail. “Peace through strength” has...
