The new commander of Air Forces Central, Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, told airmen deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, that they are “fundamental and vital” to the AFCENT mission, from serving as the central transit facility and a major air refueling hub for operations in Southwest Asia. Hostage visited Manas for three days earlier this month. He also commended the airmen for their support of the Kyrgyz people, saying such work “is critical for our success here.” He added, “By reaching out, as the men and women of the Transit Center have done, specifically in the rebuilding of the Birdik School … that kind of good will pays tremendous dividends over time.” (Manas report by SSgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
The Chinese spy balloon may have popped, but funding to protect against similar threats is inflating, according to the Department of Defense. The high-attitude surveillance balloon that traversed the U.S. in late January and early February prompted last-minute additions to the Pentagon's budget of around $90 million for measures to…