Air Combat Command officially announced on Nov. 21 that Minot AFB, N.D., is the Air Force’s “preferred location” to house a fourth B-52 bomber squadron. First, though, the service must complete the required environmental assessment. The North Dakota Congressional delegation broke the news a day early, calling the news “a sweet victory.” The Air Force on Nov. 21 also noted it had signed a record of decision that will begin the beddown the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin AFB, Fla. However, the Air Force release stated that the ROD for the use of Eglin as the initial joint training site for the F-35 Lightning II will not be issued until next year. Both Eglin actions were part of the same environmental review process, but the F-35 issue has raised some concerns locally. (More on both these actions in Nov. 24 Daily Report)
When Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine described the 150 aircraft used in Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, he referenced many by name, including the F-35 and F-22 fighters and B-1 bomber. Not specified, however, were “remotely piloted drones,” among them a secretive aircraft spotted and photographed returning to Puerto…
