The latest iteration of Red Flag-Alaska, the Air Force-sponsored combined, large-scale air combat exercise, kicked off earlier this week at the Joint-Alaska Pacific Range Complex in the eastern portion of the state. RF-A 10-3 runs through June 25, It is expected to be the largest Red Flag-Alaska gathering of the year, with more than 2,500 US and Belgian, Italian, and Japanese personnel and 124 US and allied aircraft taking part from Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force bases. USAF participants include units from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Kadena AB, Japan, Shaw AFB, S.C., and Yokota AB, Japan, plus elements of the Florida and Louisiana Air National Guard. A Marine Corps Harrier squadron from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., is also present. (Eielson report)
Congress is making moves to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but lawmakers have only a few days left to clear the procedural hurdles necessary to ensure troops get paid Nov. 14. The issue is particularly pressing for tens of thousands of uniformed personnel in the Air National…
