Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) issued a statement yesterday praising the Air Force action that would keep the Air National Guard’s 118th Airlift Wing flying. (See above.) Alexander said the “decision is the right way to honor and continue [the 118th’s] flying legacy” … and the community will keep 700 jobs.” He credited former Senate Majority leader Bill Frist, Gov. Phil Bredesen, and the other Volunteer State lawmakers for making this happen. According to the statement, the 118th may train “as many as 150 international military students annually, with the first class scheduled to graduate in mid-2008.” The unit also will continue to train active duty airmen, as needed.
Admitting Finland and Sweden to NATO would be mean adding two large, modern, and capable militaries with good training and experience to the alliance, Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli said in his confirmation hearing to be Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Both are well-equipped, and their addition would effectively make the Baltic…