The 109th Congress in a last gasp effort passed a joint resolution designed to fund 2007 military construction efforts at last year’s level, but Pentagon officials already are citing shortfalls, particularly to handle required BRAC actions. The Air Force has complained that it may not be able to fund the F-22 bed down in the Pacific region, reports McClatchy Newspapers. The new Democratic-led appropriations committees want to remove earmarks from the separately passed MilCon bills, according to the Congressional newspaper The Hill.
Three B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing flew over the Indo-Pacific alongside F-16s from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force recently, as part of a joint large force exercise. The mission began and ended in the continental U.S., as the bombers flew 31 hours and landed Jan. 11.