Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen joined Air National Guard officials at a groundbreaking in Memphis for a new $215 million Air National Guard base. According to Associated Press news service, the plan is to move the 164th Airlift Wing from its present location and increase the size of its base to provide for four additional C-5 airlifters. The unit currently had four C-5s assigned, when the new facility is complete next year, it will be able to accommodate eight.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.