The Air National Guard has taken on a significant amount of responsibility since Sept. 11, 2001, that has allowed it to maintain its dual-hat role, but future budget constraints may force leaders to question exactly how much air sovereignty is really needed, said Gen. Craig McKinley, National Guard Bureau Chief. McKinley said he would like to see an Air Force presence in every state, because “we lose something when we take away the ability to have its citizens participate in defense. If less than one percent of citizens wear the uniform, in many states the only presence you will see in this color uniform is in the Guard and Reserve,” said McKinley.
Pentagon Task Force, FAA to Test Counter-Drone Laser
March 7, 2026
The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force announced it would conduct a high-energy laser test with the Federal Aviation Administration less than a month after the use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border prompted the FAA to shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas.