Protests are mounting over USAF’s planned transfer of C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units to the active duty formal training unit at Little Rock AFB, Ark. Complaint letters sent to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley—the latest from the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus and National Governors Association—share a common concern that USAF made the decision without consulting the states or key Guard and Reserve leaders. Co-chairs of the House caucus, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) and Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), called it “disturbing” that USAF would try “unilaterally transferring” aircraft with “minimal consultation.” … The governors association said transfer of the ANG C-130s would “significantly reduce” the ability of the targeted states to conduct both homeland defense and overseas missions and … . Continue
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…