Col. Joel Westa was relieved of command of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., on Oct. 30, becoming the second nuclear wing commander in less than three weeks to be sacked at the North Dakota base. Maj. Gen. Floyd Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force, the 5th BW’s parent organization, removed Westa, who had led the wing since November 2007. Col. Douglas Cox, former vice commander of the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam, will take over the wing, which operates nuclear-capable B-52 bombers. According to an 8th AF release, Westa was not accused of misconduct. Rather, it cites a loss of confidence in his ability to command based on his “inability to foster a culture of excellence” and “lack of focus” as well as the wing’s “substandard performance” during nuclear surety inspections. (For more, read the Minot Daily News’ Oct. 31 report.)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
