Air Force Reserve Command plans to establish a new associate unit at Beale AFB, Calif., working with Air Combat Command’s 548th Intelligence Group. The Reservists will operate under a “classic” associate arrangement, sharing the load in operating and maintaining active duty equipment. AFRC plans to shift authorizations from the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale, which loses its KC-135 tankers under BRAC 2005, to form the core of the new Beale unit by 2008.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…