Airmen of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., completed late last month the first of three nuclear operational readiness exercises (NORE) the wing expects to undergo in preparation for its June nuclear operational readiness inspection. The NORE tested the wing’s ability to generate a large force of B-52s, in this case deploying them and support elements to Minot AFB, N.D., and to handle various contingencies for global strike or expeditionary combat support missions. “This exercise was the first robust test of these different contingencies,” said Lt. Col. Paul Griffith, the wing director of plans, programs, and evaluations, and a means “to learn, experience, and devise the best methods for these operations now and in the future.” (Barksdale report by SrA. Alexandra Longfellow)
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
