Among recent legislation worth noting, the House late last month passed by an overwhelming 417 to 3 vote the Improve Acquisition Act (HR 5013), sponsored by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.), who co-chaired the House Armed Services Committee’s Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform, which made its final report in March. According to a committee release, the measure would clean up waste, fraud, and abuse, saving potentially $135 billion over five years. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), committee chairman, said in floor remarks that last year’s legislation focused on weapons system, but that’s “only a small piece” of defense acquisition spending. (HR 5013 section analysis) ¦ Congress last month unanimously passed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (S 1963), authored by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, that would provide support to wounded warrior families. President Obama signed the measure May 5.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.