Maj. Gen Robin Rand, USAF legislative liaison, told the Daily Report Tuesday before a speech, that the Air Force has been very successful in explaining its planned reapportionment of F-22s around the country. Members of Congress “understand it, and understand the need for it” he said, noting that he’s had no complaints that USAF has been pursuing a “backdoor BRAC.” Back in July, the Air Force leadership announced the consolidation of the F-22 fleet, under which Holloman AFB, N.M., would lose its two F-22 squadrons, one going to Tyndall AFB, Fla., already home to Raptor training, with the second squadron divvied up between Raptor units at JB Elmendorf, Alaska, and JB Langley, Va., as well as Nellis AFB, Nev. Rand spoke as part of the Air Force Association-sponsored Air Force Breakfast Series. (For coverage of Rand’s speech, read Air Force Hit Parade and Declining Experience.)
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.