Until the World Trade Organization completes work on the Boeing-Airbus dispute—expected within four months—and releases it publicly, we may not have a full accounting. We reported earlier that US Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) says the WTO’s interim report sides with the US and Boeing, saying European Union subsidies to Airbus provided the French company with an unfair advantage. Other long-time Boeing supporters, like Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) (statement) and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) (statement), who both issued statements Sept. 4, agreed with that interpretation. However, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), who favors the KC-X tanker being offered by Northrop Grumman-EADS (parent of Airbus), issued a Sept. 10 statement that refutes that claim. Shelby wrote to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk that “many press reports are not accurately describing the complete results of the report.” Continue
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.