The House overwhelmingly approved the compromise version of the Fiscal 2017 defense authorization bill on Friday with a vote of 375-34. The legislation authorizes $618.9 billion in the base budget and $59.5 billion for overseas contingency operations. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week before sending it to President Obama for signature. (For more about the NDAA, see our previous coverage: NDAA Includes Pay Raises, Higher End Strength; NDAA Will Let Congress Begin to Move on From Compass Call; and Lawmakers Preserve A-10, Call for Study on F-35.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…